Zachary Engberg
2 min read • November 21, 2022
Posted in
This AFC West matchup features numerous wide receiver injuries. The Chargers are banged up on defense, while the Chiefs are fairly healthy on the defensive end.
The Chargers, 5-4, held tough but were worn down by the 49ers in Week 10 in what appeared to be their last contest without the core of their passing attack.
Starting wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are expected to return with Williams reportedly a full-go four weeks after his right high-ankle sprain and Allen on a snap count 10 weeks since his hamstring strain.
The Pro Football Docs expect that neither wideout will be 100%, giving Allen an 80 SIC score and Williams a 68 SIC score.
Tight end Gerald Everett is listed as questionable with a hamstring issue that popped up on Saturday, dampening his chances to play.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has recovered from his ribs cartilage fracture and had five carries for 22 yards against the 49ers, both tied for season highs.
In the divisional foes first matchup in Week 2, Herbert had 334 yards and three touchdowns and Mike Williams brought in eight catches for 113 yards and one score.
Herbert suffered his ribs injury in Week 2 and has only thrown for 300 yards once since while totaling eight touchdowns and six picks.
The major remaining issue for the Chargers is their defensive front, which lost two additional players to long-term injuries and dropped their defense SIC score to 71.4 and rush defense SIC score to 63.3.
The Chiefs passing offense hit a groove over the past few games with wideout Juju Smith-Schuster leading the charge, but Mahomes and co. will face the Chargers in Week 11 without their top two wide receivers.
Smith-Schuster suffered a concussion last week and Mecole Hardman is on short-term IR, but Marquez Valdez-Scantling and new addition Kadarius Toney posted individual lines of 3/60/1 and 4/57/1.
Along with tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, Mahomes threw for 50-plus yards and/or one touchdown to four different receivers.
The Kansas City offense may be more inclined to rush the ball against the Chargers, who have a 63.3 rush defense SIC score – compared to the Chiefs’ 89.3 SIC score – and have allowed a league-worst 5.4 yards per rush and 11 touchdowns.
Isaiah Pacheco has gradually moved into the lead back role and he logged 16 rushes for 82 yards against the Jaguars. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had zero touches in Week 10 and has been lapped by both Pacheco and pass-catching back Jerick McKinnon in the pecking order.
The defense is one of few units to still have their entire starting lineup after rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie returned from a hamstring strain against the Titans in Week 9.
The Chiefs, -240, are 5.5-point favorites on the road and the over/under is set at 52.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Kansas City and Los Angeles each have a 4-5 record on the over while the Chargers, +198, are 6-3 ATS and the Chiefs are 4-5.
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Through Week 9, our staff is 57% on player props and 58% on live bets.
Written by Zachary Engberg
