Chiefs vs. Chargers Predictions, Picks & Odds: Week 4, Sunday 9/29
The scariest aspect of the Kansas City Chiefs being undefeated through three games is that it hasn’t been perfect. Not even close. Patrick Mahomes has not been particularly sharp. Travis Kelce has not been super involved. They’re missing their top two backs. Yet they still have managed to win every game. They don’t need to be perfect to win. But you need to be perfect to beat them.
And the Los Angeles Chargers certainly have not been perfect either. They’re starting over from scratch this year after moving on from their top weapons and bringing in an entire new front office and coaching staff. Not to mention, Justin Herbert has dealt with some injury woes. But division games can be a different beast entirely so we’ll have to factor that into our Chiefs vs. Chargers predictions for Week 4.
Even if you just want to see the Chiefs vs. Chargers odds and have Chiefs vs. Chargers picks of your own, don’t forget to scroll down at the end to see how you can scoop up a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook sign-up bonus! We suggest you do trail on our “best bets” as we went 4 for 4 on ours last week!
Chiefs vs. Chargers Predictions For Sunday 4:25 PM ET, NFL Week 4
As this is a division game, these organizations play twice a year, every year. But this Los Angeles Chargers organization underwent a massive overhaul this offseason. They fired the GM and head coach to bring in Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh. They moved on from their top targets Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Gerald Everett, and Austin Ekeler in a drastic offensive overhaul.
The Chiefs are the opposite. They are back-to-back Super Bowl champs so they focused mostly on keeping the band together. Though they did add at least one new element on offense - speed. The rookie Xavier Worthy is literally the fastest player ever recorded at the combine and he’s now flashed that speed on multiple occasions at this level.
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce Bounce Back Game?
So far through three games, Travis Kelce has not looked like the Travis Kelce we’ve come to expect. And, naturally, given his superstar status and his mega-star girlfriend, that’s going to have people talking. But we find it hard to believe that the Traiv Kelce that just had 355 yards and 3 touchdowns in the playoffs earlier this calendar year is no longer capable of big games. Even if he has lost a step.
Historically Travis Kelce has crushed the Chargers. In three of the last four matchups, he’s scored 35+ PPR fantasy points. And this year the Chiefs offense has a new element of speed with rookie Xavier Worthy to help open things up underneath for Rashee Rice and Kelce. They are missing starting RB Isiah Pacheco so they’ll have to piece that together with Carson Steele and Samaje Perine.
The reality for Patrick Mahomes is not that he’s a different player than the guy who once threw 50 TD passes. It’s that he doesn’t need to be that guy. The Chiefs defense has dramatically improved in recent years with Chris Jones and Geroge Karlaftis upfront, Nick Bolton patrolling the middle, and Trent McDuffie locking folks down on the outside.
Los Angeles Chargers: JK Dobbins and the Run First Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have long been associated with passing the football. From the Air Coryell days to Philip Rivers/Antonio Gates to the most recent season with Kellen Moore, they’ve been known to air it out. There’s a reason Austin Ekeler never had a 1,000-yard rushing season.
That’s taken a complete 180 this year with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. In fact, the only team to attempt fewer passes than the Charger’s 66 is the New Orleans Saints with 65. Harbaugh likes his smash mouth football and JK Dobbins has led the charge thus far after recovering from multiple years of injuries.
On defense, they could be in a bit of trouble this week. As we mentioned, All-Pro safety Derwin James has been suspended following a helmet-to-helmet hit on tight end Pat Freiermuth. Star pass rusher Joey Bosa is also dealing with a hip injury that has kept him out of practice so far this week. In fact, at Thursday’s practice, Bosa, Justin Herbert, and Rashawn Slater were all absent. It’s hard enough to go up against the Kansas City Chiefs when you’re at full strength.
Chiefs vs. Chargers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
As promised, the latest Chiefs vs. Chargers odds can be found below courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Kansas City Chiefs -7 (-115) vs. Los Angeles Chargers +7 (-105)
- Money Line: Kansas City Chiefs (-350) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (+280)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 39.5 (-110) vs. Under 39.5 (-110)
Chiefs vs. Chargers: Kansas City Chiefs -7 (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
This week has not trended in the right direction for the Chargers. We mentioned how Travis Kelce carves them up already - it was announced earlier this week that Derwin James is suspended for this game due to a helmet to helmet hit last week on tight end Pat Freiermuth. Facing Kelce was already a challenge and now they will do it without their All Pro safety.
And that’s before we get to the injuries here. Joey Bosa is out, Rashawn Slater is out, and Joe Alt is questionable. More importantly, Justin Herbert himself has been given a questionable designation. He was previously dealing with plantar fascitis and now he’s got a high ankle sprain to boot.
I think the Chiefs are simply the much better team, even before the injury business. I could see a world where the Chiefs go up and the Chargers decide it’s simply not worth it to risk further injury to their franchise quarterback. Like they did last week, bringing in Taylor Heinicke. Give us the Chiefs to cover here.
Chiefs vs. Chargers Injury Report & Latest News
Finally, let’s take a quick look at the projected starting lineups for both teams heading into tonight’s matchup:
KC Chiefs
- Mike Danna - OUT
LAC Chargers
- Joey Bosa - Out
- Junior Colson - Out
- Rashawn Slater - Out
- Justin Herbert - Questionable
- Joe Alt - Questionable
- Derius Davis - Questionable
- Kristian Fulton - Questionable
- Ja’Sir Taylor - Questionable
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Player News
Cowboys signed OL Hakeem Adeniji, formerly of the Browns, to a contract.
The former 2020 sixth-round pick last took regular season snaps in 2022. Adeniji spent the 2023 season serving as a part-time special teams player, and although he was technically on the Browns’ 2024 roster, he missed the full season on injured reserve. Adeniji will likely handle a deep-backup/special teams role in Dallas this year.
Free agent QB Aaron Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show that he is currently focusing on matters in his personal life while mulling his future in the NFL.
In a wide-ranging discussion with McAfee, Rodgers said that he is still contemplating whether to play in 2025 or retire this offseason, though he has settled on a $10 million asking price, should he choose to stick around. Rodgers repeatedly, yet ambiguously, emphasized that caring for troubled members of his “inner circle” has been his offseason priority. Rodgers spoke positively of his recent visit with the Steelers, praising head coach Mike Tomlin, OC Arthur Smith, GM Omar Khan, QB coach Tom Arth and WR DK Metcalf, whom he called “a specimen” and a “great dude.” Rodgers downplayed reports about pitching Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell on a union, saying much ado has been made about two old “friends” remaining in regular contact. The free agent QB also notably complimented Giants head coach Brian Daboll’s “beautiful football mind” but kept Giants-talk relatively succinct. Rodgers made clear that the rapidly approaching 2025 NFL Draft will have no bearing on his decision-making timeline, and he understands if the Steelers determine that they must move on without him. In short, it appears as though Rodgers will either sign with the Steelers or move on from football. The enigmatic quarterback gave few indications as to which direction he is leaning.
FOX NFL’s Jordan Schultz reports “interested teams believe Philadelphia would be open to future picks” for TE Dallas Goedert.
Goedert has become a popular trade candidate in the rumor mill. He is on the final year of his current contract and is undoubtedly looking for a new deal. The Eagles, on the other hand, haven’t made much noise about extending him and have generally tried to get out ahead of new contracts in recent years. The timing of this report suggests the Eagles are still trying to field offers for Goedert and the price may be dropping.
Browns GM Andrew Berry said Alabama QB Jalen Milroe has “rare physical talent.”
Berry continued with his praise of Milroe’s physical traits, saying he is maybe the only quarterback faster than Lamar Jackson. Milroe ran for 729 yards and a jaw-dropping 20 touchdowns in his final season at Alabama. Though the Browns don’t appear to be taking a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, they are up again at No. 33 and could even package that selection with another pick to get back into the first round. The Browns have held visits with all of the major quarterback prospects, including Milroe. They currently have Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on the roster, neither of whom is a long-term option.
Browns GM Andrew Berry said Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter’s skill set is best suited for wide receiver.
Berry still didn’t rule out Hunter playing both positions at the next level. He also noted that he doesn’t think Hunter needs to be a two-way player to be worth the No. 2 overall pick that Cleveland holds. Hunter is currently the favorite to be taken with the second pick ahead of Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. Giants GM Joe Schoen talked about Hunter yesterday as well. He noted the risks of playing Hunter on both sides of the ball but sounded more than willing to give it a shot. Between Schoen, Berry, and other reports, all signs point to Hunter at least getting some run on both sides of the ball, though not as much as he did in college. The receiver-needy Browns would likely deploy him as a wide receiver first, much to the pleasure of the fantasy football community.
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.