The NFL returns this week as we enter the holiday season with a big clash between reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs and the struggling Los Angeles Chargers in week 14.
The Chiefs have been in fantastic form this season and come into this game with a 10-1 record at the time of writing after a sensational 9-0 start, while the Chargers have a 7-4 record at the time of writing after seeing a four-game winning streak snapped last time out.
We’ll take a look at the match-up and provide you with our best free NFL betting picks as we try to earn you some extra cash while you enjoy the action on the field.
The reigning champions opened up their season with a big clash against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 and came away with a vital victory, holding off a late fightback to claim a 27-20 win.
Week 2 wasn’t quite as straightforward as they had to rely on the genius of Patrick Mahomes once again to bail them out late on against the Cincinnati Bengals, coming from behind in the fourth quarter to claim a tight 26-25 win.
In week 3 it was another routine win over the Atlanta Falcons as they won 22-17, before a week 4 win over this week’s opponents saw a comfortable 17-10 scoreline.
They followed that up against the New Orleans Saints in week 5 and earned a dominant 26-13 victory, before a bye in week 6. They returned to action in week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers and claimed a routine 28-18 win, before facing off with the Las Vegas Raiders and claiming a 27-20 victory..
They then defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a highly entertaining game thanks to a fourth-quarter comeback to earn the 30-24 win in overtime, before the Chiefs claimed a 16-14 win over the Denver Broncos, but only because the special team blocked a last-second field goal attempt in what was a disappointing performance.
Kansas then suffered their first defeat of the season, falling to the Buffalo Bills in a great game that saw the hosts claim a 30-21 victory. But they bounced back in their next game with a fortunate 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers to get back to winning ways thanks to more late defensive heroics. They will face off with the Raiders once again, before this match takes place.
The Chargers started the season in fine form with back-to-back wins in their opening two games, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers 22-10 and 26-3 respectively, in excellent performances.
But those were followed up with defeats in week 3 and 4 as the Pitttsburgh Steelers turned in a strong performance to win 20-10, before the Chiefs came to town and earned a 17-10 win themselves.
The Chargers had a bye in week 5 which allowed them to recharge and they returned to action in week 6 with a 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos, before a 15-17 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals followed up next. However, after that LA found their rhythm and went on an excellent four-game winning streak.
The New Orleans Saints were put to the sword with a 26-8 display from the Chargers, before a 27-10 win over the Cleveland Browns followed. The Tennessee Titans were next up with a dominant 27-17 win before a high-scoring win over the Cincinnati Bengals took them to 7-3. Last time out LA suffered a disappointing 30-23 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens though, and they will face off with the Atlanta Falcons before this game takes place.
The Chiefs have been finding a way to win despite some relatively poor performances in recent weeks, and this is likely to be another game which they make more difficult than they need to.
Kansas have got the running power on offense and the brilliant passing ability of Mahomes to lean on at all times, but defensively they have been more open than usual and head coach Andy Reid is likely to focus on that to ensure they don’t get to playoff season in bad shape.
But after a pretty straightforward 17-10 win against the Chargers earlier in the season, there is a blueprint to victory for them to follow and they should be able to do so to add another win to their record for the season.
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The last game between these sides saw just 27 points scored back in week 4, but that was more of an anomaly than a norm for the teams this season.
The 43 point mark has been reached or surpassed in seven of the Chiefs’ 11 games so far this season and while it has only landed in three of the Chargers’ games, it has come in each of their last three fixtures.
Back the over in this one and hang tight for an entertaining clash.
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About the Author
Daniel is a football writer who has a great thirst for the Premier League and other major European leagues. A lover of the beautiful game and a firm believer that the eye test is better than statistics. Also an avid MMA fan.
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