Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers: Last-Minute Spread and Predictions

The Kansas City Chiefs hit the road hoping to bounce back from a poor start. Unfortunately, they're playing a very good San Diego Chargers team that is itching to make a statement win on Sunday. 

You have to feel for the Chiefs because they've lost some of their top players on both sides of the ball due to knee injuries. 

The Chiefs have struggled against good quarterbacks, so just imagine how bad things will get once they take on the elite Philip Rivers. 

To get a better idea of what we're going to see on Sunday, let's take a look at a few specifics of this AFC West showdown. 

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

When: Sunday, Sept. 25 4:05 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Over/Under 

According to bodog.com, the over/under is set at 44 1/2, which may seem high since the Chiefs will struggle to put points on the board. However, Kansas City gave up 41 points in Week 1 and 48 points in Week 2. Take the over because the Chargers are going to put up a lot of points. 

Spread 

The Chargers are favored at -15, which is something you should jump all over. The Chiefs secondary is awful, and Rivers is going to pick them apart. This will be a blowout and the Chargers will easily cover. 

Key Injuries 

Jamaal Charles joins Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki on the list of top Chiefs' players out for the season with knee injuries. Linebacker Tamba Hali has an ankle injury and Jonathan Baldwin is still nursing a thumb injury–Both players remain questionable.

For the Chargers, Antonio Gates, Malcom Floyd, Mike Tolbert, Vincent Jackson, Luis Castillio, Corey Liuget and Bob Sanders missed portions of practice this week, and all but Jackson are questionable for Sunday's game. Jackson is listed as probable. 

These are some very good players banged up for the Chargers, but most of them should play. Missing practice is just a precautionary measure to give the guys a little more rest before game day. 

Fantasy Big Plays 

Philip Rivers is a must-start if he is on your roster. The Chiefs allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matthew Stafford to throw four touchdowns, so just imagine what Rivers should do to them. 

You can also feel safe starting Gates, unless he is ruled out. He was held to zero points a week ago, but that was part of the Patriots game plan. Kansas City doesn't have anyone capable of slowing down Gates. 

The Chargers pass defense is very strong, which means Dwayne Bowe wouldn't be a safe start unless you absolutely have nobody else. Bowe is the Chiefs' primary target, and with Charles out for the year, teams know the Chiefs game plan goes through Bowe. 

Keys to Chiefs Win 

Kansas City must maintain a balanced attack, and not focus too much on Bowe. If they force plays, then they're just going to struggle all day long. 

The Chiefs must also stay healthy, which is obviously not in their control. Two weeks in a row they've lost a top-notch player to a season-ending knee injury, and they would love to have nobody injured in Week 3. 

Keys to Chargers Win 

Philip Rivers needs to spread the ball to anyone and everyone, as well as let their running back tandem of Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert do their thing. 

San Diego should win this game, but they've been known to choke in the early part of the season. This needs to be a statement win for the Chargers, and the way to do that is to air it out. 

Prediction 

The Chiefs have been outscored 89-10 this year, and they've consistently had trouble finding the end zone. That trend will continue for the Chiefs this week as the Chargers cruise on by with an easy victory. 

Chargers 38, Chiefs 10