If you look at ESPN’s panel of NFL analysts, it’s easy to see that most of them are believing in the resurgent Los Angeles Chargers.
They sit tied atop the AFC West with equal records. They each have obvious strengths and weaknesses, with losses to laugh at and impressive wins to point to. Yet only the Los Angeles Chargers have the momentum behind them, which is why the percentage of NFL experts picking them is so lopsided in their upcoming Saturday night showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Over at ESPN, only three of 10 experts believe the Chiefs can win at home. Despite their dominant win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Chiefs fail to garner much in the way of belief or faith after successive losses to some of the NFL’s worst teams. Going 0 for 3 through the state of New York against the likes of the Giants, Jets and Buffalo Bills will do that to a team in terms of overall perception.
Over at CBS Sports, the percentages remain about the same with 6 of 8 experts picking the Chargers to win over the Chiefs despite being on the road. The Chargers have looked very impressive over the last several weeks and have put away poor teams in very convincing fashion. Despite their 0-4 start, the Chargers have clearly put together a winning formula with a strong offense and stout pass rush.
Next: Key match-ups for Chargers-Chiefs
Gil Brandt is the only voice supporting the Chiefs among six experts picking the winners at Sports Illustrated. The rest voted for the Chargers and that sort of trend only continues with each and every site. The Chiefs, despite their 5-0 start, now have some serious convincing to do if they’re going to earn the respect of NFL experts again, those who have now felt “fooled” by the Chiefs early start.