Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Thursday Night Football Betting Odds & Analysis

This week, Thursday Night Football is set to be one of the highlights of the NFL schedule, as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Kansas City Chiefs.

Both of these AFC West teams picked up a win to start their seasons, and a win here would do wonders for either team as they try to build up an early lead in the division.

To get such a win, however, both teams will have to find a way to slow down some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Chiefs enter this game as a 4.5-point favorite. The Chiefs moneyline sits at (-209), while the Chargers' sits at (+170).

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Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in their season opener to start their season with a 1-0 record. While Justin Herbert played well for the Chargers, it was their defense that really came through for them.

The newly formed pass rush duo of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa lead the Chargers' defense to a total of six sacks of Derek Carr in a very positive start to the season for the Chargers.

Against the Chiefs, the Chargers will need their pass rush to be just as effective to maximize their chances of winning this game.

Taking time away from Patrick Mahomes and not allowing routes to develop down the field is the only way to consistently stop an offense as potent as that of the Chiefs. If the Chargers cannot get home with their pass rush, it will be up to Herbert to try and win this game in a shootout.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs put up more points than any team in the NFL in Week 1, beating the Arizona Cardinals 44-21. Mahomes had a huge day for the Chiefs, throwing for 360 yards and five touchdowns in the win.

In Week 2, the Chiefs can expect a much more stern test on both sides of the ball against a Chargers team that can match them offensively.

Defensively, the Chiefs were very impressive in their own right on Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing under 300 yards in that game. It will be tougher to hold Herbert and the Chargers offense to such pedestrian numbers.

The Chiefs did a very nice job in their first test without Tyrann Mathieu, which was an encouraging sign given the questions about their defense going into the season.

Keys To The Game

While the Chargers' passing game and defense will be huge in this game, the rushing attack of the Chargers will be a key as well. The Chargers averaged 2.5 yards per carry as a team in Week 1, with no rusher hitting the 40-yard mark. That will not fly against a Chiefs team that likes to bring pressure on obvious passing downs.

On the Kansas City side, this game is all about pass protection. The Chargers have built a defense around the idea of taking time away from Mahomes in the pocket.

If the Chiefs cannot block Bosa, Mack, and the rest of the Chargers' pass rush, that could be a troubling sign for the future for Andy Reid's team.