Monday Night Football: San Diego @ Kansas City, Preview and Prediction
San Diego. I don't think anyone knows what it means anymore...
Thus spoke Ron Burgandy, in the movie 'Anchorman. ' And they are fitting words for the NFL team, the Chargers. They are always considered to be one of the top teams in the AFC before the season starts.
They usually have a bad start, then finish strong and either make, or narrowly miss, the playoffs.
This season, they played well from game one. They had won 4 of their first 5, their only loss was to New England, the clear-cut favorite to win the AFC.
Last week they had a commanding lead against the New York Jets, leading 21-10 in the second half. But the wheels came off late, and they eventually lost the game 27-21.
Monday night, they face off against a resurgent Kansas City Chiefs team. KC dropped their first 3 games of the season, but have rallied and won their last 3. Last Sunday, the Chiefs dismantled a pretty good Oakland Raider team, 28-0.
KC and SD have already met this year, in San Diego, a close game won by the Chargers, 20-17. I look for Kansas City to get revenge tonight on national TV.
The Chiefs play their home games at Arrowhead Stadium. It is one of the loudest environments in the NFL. It was for years considered to be the toughest place for road teams to visit. It still is among the top 5.
Kansas City has been playing much better football as the season goes on. They are adjusting to the loss of their top RB, Jamaal Charles. Jackie Battle has stepped in and played well in his absence. QB Matt Cassel is solid, and plays his best with the home crowd behind him.
One of the oldest and most well-known addages in sports betting is the "home dog on Monday Nite" angle. Teams often rise to the occasion of playing on Monday night. Everyone is watching the game, and the home team, even if seemingly overmatched, responds with a big effort.
Kansas City has shown that they can play with San Diego, as evidenced in the week 3 loss. They will be out to get revenge. And they are certainly good enough to get it done.
While not quite as strong as the 8 point dog we got on Saturday night with USC, I am once again looking for the home team, getting points, with every intention of winning the game outright, to at least cover the number.
The Chargers are a 3 point favorite, but they are also -120. The money has been coming in late on San Diego, and for all those who are leaning that way, we will have to agree to disagree.
The Pick:
***** Take the home team Chiefs, +3 (even)
