Chiefs, Chargers look to wrap up Thursday nights in style
For those fans who dislike Thursday night football, rejoice that this week is the final game of the season on such short rest.
Also rejoice that it’s one of the best matchups of the year, with hefty implications in the standings, as Kansas City hosts the Los Angeles Chargers.
Even with a loss, the Chiefs keep the top spot in the AFC West with a better division record as the teams will have split their series. A win for Kansas City (11-2) could secure the top seed in the conference, though, depending on what happens to the Patriots and Texans.
The Chargers (10-3), who lost to K.C. 38-28 in the season opener, will own a post-season berth with a victory. They also can get in with a loss and help elsewhere.
Los Angeles is a 3 ⁄ -point underdog at top-ranked Kansas City. We think, right now, the Chargers are the better-balanced team, though winning on the road on Thursday nights is very difficult, especially if the top two running backs are out. That could be the case with Melvin Gordon (knee) and Austin Ekeler (neck, concussion protocol) uncertain. Bye-bye Thursday nights. CHIEFS, 30-29 SATURDAY HOUSTON (minus 6) at N.Y. JETS Texans get back on track in New Jersey. TEXANS, 28-13 CLEVELAND (plus 3) at DENVER Browns on right track, Broncos too banged-up. BROWNS, 27-23 SUNDAY GREEN BAY (plus 5 ⁄ ) at CHICAGO Normally, letdown for Bears could be expected. Not against Packers, though. BEARS, 23-16 DALLAS (plus 3) at INDIANAPOLIS We recognize this could be sucker bet. OK, we’re suckers. COWBOYS, 20-17 NEW ENGLAND (minus 1 ⁄ )
at PITTSBURGH Steelers about to blow division and possibly wild card. PATRIOTS, 39-32 TAMPA BAY (plus 8)
at BALTIMORE Ravens about to surge to AFC North title. RAVENS, 26-20 PHILADELPHIA (plus 9 ⁄ )
at L.A. RAMS Eagles play hard while undermanned, just don’t win enough. RAMS, 37-24 SEATTLE (minus 5 ⁄ ) at SAN FRANCISCO Seahawks have that NFC wildcard berth in sight. SEAHAWKS, 17-13 TENNESSEE (plus 2 ⁄ )
at N.Y. GIANTS Titans keep it going in New Jersey? Well, no. GIANTS, 30-19 MIAMI (plus 7) at MINNESOTA No “Drake Escape” or “Miami Miracle” this week. VIKINGS, 22-20 ARIZONA (plus 8 ⁄ ) at ATLANTA Cardinals even more confounding than Falcons. FALCONS, 30-20 DETROIT (plus 2 ⁄ ) at BUFFALO Two more confounding also-rans. BILLS, 23-17 OAKLAND (plus 3)
at CINCINNATI Bengals have lost their way. They’ll partially find it for one week. BENGALS, 21-20 WASHINGTON (plus 7)
at JACKSONVILLE Will Redskins show up this week? Will Jaguars? JAGUARS, 20-10
MONDAY NIGHT NEW ORLEANS (minus 6 ⁄ )
at CAROLINA Saints need to stay ahead of Rams for NFC home-field edge. SAINTS, 33-20
——— 2018 RECORD: Last Week: Against spread (8-8). Straight up (9-7) Season Totals: Against spread (103-93-7). Straight up: (136-70-2)