Chargers Still Underdogs Among AFC Contenders After Beating Chiefs
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Updated: March 25, 2020 at 10:33 am EDTPublished:
- The 11-3 Los Angeles Chargers own a share of the AFC’s best record
- The Chargers beat the Chiefs 29-28 on TNF of Week 15
- Still, online betting sites rate them behind the Chiefs and Patriots among AFC contenders
If you’re the Los Angeles Chargers today, you’re probably wondering what you’ve got to do to get a little love.
Thursday, the Chargers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat the Chiefs 29-28 at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chargers hadn’t won in five years, against Kansas City, a team they hadn’t beaten in nine tries.
don't count us out. pic.twitter.com/djElzrvtn5
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 14, 2018
You know how many home games the Chiefs had lost this season prior to Thursday? That would be none.
And yet, when the AFC Championship futures were updated, the Chargers still sat third behind the Chiefs and the New England Patriots.
Odds to Win AFC Championship
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +210 |
| New England Patriots | +210 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +400 |
| Houston Texans | +800 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +800 |
With their win on Thursday, the Chargers clinched their first playoff berth since 2013.
Chargers Are Sneaky Good
The Chargers opened the season losing at home to the Chiefs. They were 1-2, but while that other NFL team from L.A. was getting all the attention, the Chargers quietly rolled off nine straight wins.
After starting the season 1-2… Philip Rivers and the @Chargers have won 10 of their last 11 games! ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/3yDsuixINc
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2018
The Chargers sit eighth in the NFL in total defense and seventh overall in scoring defense.
On the other side of the ball, they’re sixth in total offense and fifth in scoring offense. No other AFC contender has anywhere near those kind of numbers in each of these four categories.
Chargers Can Play Defense
Another item that’s unique to the Chargers among the AFC elite is that they can put a stop to you.
The Patriots are the NFL’s 22nd-best defensive squad, but they’re stellar compared to the Chiefs, who rank 30th.
CLINCHED! pic.twitter.com/sqNIfDAv9Z
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 14, 2018
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are menacing pass rushers. Safety Derwin James leads in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, with 93 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.
Week 15 Could Decide AFC Champion
Despite Thursday’s loss, the Chiefs still hold the tiebreaker for the AFC West title by virtue of their better divisional record. Both teams face tough tests next week – L.A. at home to the Ravens and K.C. on the road at Seattle.
If the Chiefs can get past the Seahawks, they should cruise at home against the woeful Raiders to close out the regular season. But never underestimate the ability of the Chiefs and coach Andy Reid to lose when it matters most.
The Chargers, along with the Saints the NFL’s only one-loss road teams, finish at Denver.
"Anthony Lynn is my NFL Coach of the Year. The @Chargers have been down double digits in the 2nd half on the road in Pittsburgh and Kansas City this month, and have found ways to win both times. We love Philip and the guys, but the coach is at the heart of it all." – @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/xB3aI8dnLP
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) December 14, 2018
Should you make a play on the Chargers to win the AFC? Well, they did rally from 14-point deficits to win at Pittsburgh and K.C. Forget the AFC. The Chargers might be the NFL’s best team.
Yeah, you might want to Bolt Up.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
