The San Diego Chargers travel to the Midwest to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West Division tilt to cap off Monday Night Football and the first week of the NFL season, September 13th. Phillip Rivers embarks on his NFL MVP journey with a game against his weakest division opponent. The Kansas Chiefs coaching staff has more than a few Super Bowl rings between them and features Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel as the defensive coordinator.
San Diego Chargers Passing Attack May not be All it Once Was & KC Chiefs Never Was
Matt Cassel suffered through a frustrating season last year and this season does not look to be any better. Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers do not strike fear in many defensive backs hearts but new addition Dexter McCluster may just be the ticket to open up the Kansas City Chiefs offense and kick Cassel into gear.
Vincent Jackson is not appearing on the San Diego Chargers sideline any time soon. This could lead to some serious issues for the San Diego Chargers or it could lead to the development of new young talent for Phillip Rivers to mold. Rivers stall has his reliable tight end, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd as his new number one receiver.
Who will step up as the number two receiver in this offense? According to the San Diego Chargers depth chart, Patrick Crayton will step into the number two spot and Legedu Naanee will assume the number three position. This would be scary for any team that does not have a tight end that will rack up 1,000 yards receiving. Don’t forget Ryan Mathews coming out of the backfield to receive also he will be an instant threat. The passing attack edge goes to the San Diego Chargers over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Running Game for Both Kansas City Chiefs & San Diego Chargers Feature Young Exciting Running Backs
Jamaal Charles made his mark towards the end of the Kansas City Chiefs season and his huge day of 259 yards in one game made fantasy football owners drool. Will Charles be as effective in the 2010 NFL season? He now has a great mentor in Thomas Jones that could help Charles develop into a great back for the Kansas City Chiefs. Charles will get his share of carries but look for Jones to see some substantial action in this game also.
This game could be San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews coming out party. Mathews has looked incredible in the preseason and now he will have to prove himself on the big stage of Monday Night Football. Mathews is a straight up and down runner that also knows how to show speed to the outside. Mathews also shows an eerie resemblance to his idol, LaDanian Tomlinson. The edge in the running game goes to the San Diego Chargers over the Kansas City Chiefs.
San Diego Chargers -6 vs Kansas City Chiefs: Las Vegas Line and Pick Against the Spread
Six points is a lot of points to give up to any home team, even the Kansas City Chiefs. Many sports writers and television personalities have hitched their wagon to the San Diego Chargers as the next Super Bowl Champs. The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook also posts the San Diego Chargers as 9-1 second favorites to win the Super Bowl. Rivers, Mathews and Gates will be too much for the Kansas City Chiefs. Take the San Diego Chargers to cover the six point spread and to win by 10 or more points.
sources:
Odds to Win 2011 Super Bowl
Las Vegas Over/Under Win Totals
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
www.profootballtalk.com
www.nfl.com