Let’s look at what the NFL media is predicting for Sunday night’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the L.A. Chargers.
At this point, it would be hard to overstate just how big this week is for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. For one team, it’s about gaining complete control over their division and setting themselves up wonderfully for the stretch run. For another, the season is largely on the line.
For the Chiefs, who already have a nice lead in the AFC West after an offseason filled with predictions of a grueling, season-long battle, Week 11’s showdown on the road at Los Angeles is a chance to put the whole thing to bed with several weeks to go. While the Chargers would not be mathematically eliminated, the truth is that the Chiefs would have to completely implode for the Bolts to have any chance in the division.
For the Chargers, it’s not just about staying alive in the AFC West and keeping the Chiefs within a decent reach, but they also can ill afford to slip to 5-5 after starting 4-2 despite significant injuries. The Bolts have lost three of their last four with losses to the 49ers and Seahawks in recent weeks and now the Chiefs come to town. In a crowded AFC playoff race, the inability to steal a single win against KC could really hurt.
So who will win? We’ll share our own writers’ picks later this weekend, but for now let’s survey NFL analysts and experts from various media outlets.
Pete Prisco at CBS Sports has no druthers about the Chiefs winning this one. Not only does he have them winning handily on the road, but he even has K.C. beating the spread. The Chiefs are rolling and the Chargers are not and he doesn’t think desperation or divisional hate can change the outcome.
Over at Pro Football Network, B.J. Rudell echoes Prisco’s notions and writes, “LA is reeling, and Kansas City is riding high. This is a very different dynamic than when they met earlier this season.”
Over at the Detroit News, however, their panel is largely leaning toward the Chargers despite the odds being against them. There’s something about a team with its back against the wall, and it’s clear that most of the experts here are buying into that narrative.
Vinnie Iyer at the Sporting News isn’t ready to back the Chargers, but he does have them covering the spread. He predicts a four-point victory for KC on the road. The same can be said for Kyle Koster of the Big Lead, who has the Chargers covering the spread but losing by four.
Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic predicts the closest battle of all. He’s going with Kansas City to win, but he has the Chargers within a single point by game’s end.
So what do you think? We’d love to read your opinions in the comments!