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I'm well aware the Chiefs have nothing to play for and are resting guys, but the Chargers also have little motivation and are ruling guys out left and right, including their No. 1 receiver (Keenan Allen), top tight end (Hunter Henry), best offensive lineman (Bryan Bulaga) and top defender (Joey Bosa). Plus, warm-weather team in the cold.
This line is obviously massively adjusted from what it would be if the Chiefs were playing all their regular starters, and I think the books have overshot the right number. First of all, you can't rest everybody due to the nature of positional rotations, particularly on the defensive side. Second, Andy Reid isn't going to coach to intentionally lose, so we're still getting a huge coaching mismatch here. And third, the Chargers aren't good; they've only won by more than three twice all year, and I'm not convinced they can do it against the backups of the best team in the NFL. L.A. won't have several key starters as well, with guys like Joey Bosa and Bryan Bulaga ruled out. Chiefs cover this one.
The Chargers played the Chiefs tough when K.C. was at full strength. Now the Chiefs are resting many key starters while L.A. looks to end the season on a four-game win streak. Chad Henne, 35, will start at quarterback for K.C., his first NFL start since 2014. Lay the points.
K.C. has not seen a total this low all season, but these Chiefs will barely resemble the usual ones. QB Patrick Mahomes is a certain sit-out, while ailing playmakers Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, LeVeon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire could keep him company on the sidelines. The Chargers have been winning but mainly with defense, having averaged just under 17 points the last five outings. QB Justin Herbert closes his campaign for Rookie of the Year without his most dependable pass-catching partners, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry.
No team has less incentive on the final weekend than K.C. The Chiefs, locked in as the top AFC seed and with the playoffs on their mind, will rest numerous starters. QB Patrick Mahomes is a certain sit-out, while ailing playmakers Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, LeVeon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire likely will keep him company on the sidelines. Even at close to full strength, the Chiefs have been shaky, with a single cover in the last seven outings -- and that one by a half-point. The Chargers have taken three in a row outright, and QB Justin Herbert can close his campaign for Rookie of the Year on a high note.