by Rod Pearson
Friday, Oct 16, 2026
Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, October 18, 2026
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Chargers +7.5, Chiefs -7.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Chargers +7.5, Chiefs -7.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Chargers +7.5, Chiefs -7.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Chargers: 0-5 (4th place, AFC West)
Kansas City Chiefs: 4-0 (1st place, AFC West)
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Los Angeles Chargers: lost their last game at home against the Denver Broncos 23-17.
Kansas City Chiefs: won their last game on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Preview and Analysis
The Chargers are entering this game with a 0-5 record overall and they have a 0-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 0-3 in their home games, 0-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Denver Broncos 23-17. Justin Herbert was the starting QB and he completed 14/24 passes for 121 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Kimani Vidal led the team in rushing yards with 57 and 1 TD. Charlie Kolar led the receivers with 37 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Akheem Mesidor led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles while Akheem Mesidor led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Chiefs are entering this game with a 4-0 record overall and they have a 2-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-0 in their home games, 2-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27. Patrick Mahomes was the starting QB and he completed 15/30 passes for 225 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Kenneth Walker III led the team in rushing yards with 177 and 2 TDs. Tyquan Thornton led the receivers with 111 receiving yards on 5 receptions and 2 TDs. Mansoor Delane led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. Xavier Nwankpa came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Chargers vs Chiefs Prediction
The current betting odds have the Chiefs listed as a 7.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Chiefs have looked great in their games this season with their 4-0 record overall which has them right at the top of the AFC West. They have looked great on their home field too with their 2-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Chargers have looked terrible in their games this season with their 0-5 record overall which has them right at the bottom of the AFC West. They have looked terrible in their road games too with their 0-2 road record this year. The Chargers are coming off a 23-17 loss to the Broncos in their last one and they are a team that just can't get out of their own way. They had the Bills on the ropes with a big turnover advantage and found a way to lose that game, now they are coming off another game that they were winning late and completely fell apart at the end. They are dealing with a ton of injuries now too and they have been a big disaster this season with Herbert not looking good at all. The Chiefs are coming off a 30-27 road win over the Raiders in their last one and they have been rolling all season. Their offense has been putting up a ton of points in every game and they have completely revamped their offense with a rushing attack now. Walker has opened up a lot of things for them and this is a terrible situation for the Chargers with the Chiefs also coming out of their bye week. Andy Reid has a great record with the Chiefs when he has had extra time to prepare and the Chargers haven't really looked like a team that can compete for this division. The best way to place a bet here is on the Chiefs to cover the spread in this game.
Chargers Chiefs Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, October 18, 2026 (4:25 pm ET start time) is Chiefs 28 Chargers 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Chargers: 11-5 ATS in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points. 10-3 ATS versus division opponents. 17-9 ATS as a road underdog of 7.5 to 14 points. 6-1 UNDER as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 6-1 UNDER after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse.
Kansas City Chiefs: 4-15 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 2-7 ATS in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points. 3-10 ATS versus division opponents. 10-0 UNDER in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points. 7-3 UNDER after a win by 6 or less points.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers: K. Mack (LB) Injured - Rest. B. Dupree (LB) Injured - Neck. D. Tomlinson (DL) Injured - Hamstring. M. Valdes-Scantling (WR) Injured - Rib. D. James Jr. (S) Injured - Hamstring. D. Jackson (CB) Injured - Hamstring. K. Awosika (OG) Injured - Fibula. C. Kolar (TE) Injured - Forearm. E. Molden (CB) Injured - Hamstring. D. Henley (LB) Injured - Knee. K. Williamson (S) Injured - Ankle. Q. Johnston (WR) Injured - Chest. J. Eboigbe (DL) Injured - Shoulder. J. Alt (OT) Injured - Neck. L. McConkey (WR) Injured - Foot. K. Lambert-Smith (WR) Injured - Hamstring. J. Caldwell (DL) Injured - Knee. T. Harris (WR) Injured - Hamstring. B. Thompson (WR) Injured - Quadricep. R. Shelley (CB) Injured - Hamstring.
Kansas City Chiefs: P. Woods (DL) Injured - Neck. J. Simmons (OT) Injured - Back. R. Rice (WR) Injured - Hamstring. C. Conner (CB) Injured - Knee. L. Sneed (CB) Injured - Knee. P. Mahomes (QB) Injured - Knee. B. VanSumeren (FB) Injured - Thumb.
Notable Quotes
“When I saw them gap down, I felt like I should call timeout out there and punt the ball. Right now, the only thing I can think of is that I screwed that up.” - Jim Harbaugh after his team’s loss against the Broncos in their last game.
“I trust him to do that. I don’t expect anything, but I do trust that he’s going to do the right thing when the ball’s in his hand.” - Andy Reid after his team’s win against the Raiders in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Harris, Tre'
WR McConkey, Ladd
TE Kolar, Charlie
QB Herbert, Justin
RB Hampton, Omarion
FB Matlock, Scott
Kansas City Chiefs
WR Royals, Jalen
WR Worthy, Xavier
WR Rice, Rashee
TE Kelce, Travis
QB Mahomes, Patrick
RB Walker, Kenneth
FB VanSumeren, Ben
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: Justin Herbert (937)
Rushing: Omarion Hampton (271)
Receiving: Tre' Harris (225)
Touchdowns: Omarion Hampton (3)
Kansas City Chiefs
Passing: Patrick Mahomes (1,037)
Rushing: Kenneth Walker III (537)
Receiving: Travis Kelce (246)
Touchdowns: Kenneth Walker III (6)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (3rd season)
Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid (14th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
