Wow, this total has been going up all day and I'm just sitting and watching. Now I have to go Under. While Kansas City's defense has been otherworldly during it six-game winning streak, that unit will be down at least three starters tonight. I get it. However, the Bolts are down their left tackle and Austin Ekeler reportedly will be on a bit of a pitch count. I think this has peaked so let's hit the button.

This looks to be on its way back to -3.5 ahead of kickoff, so grab the field goal now if you're on the Chiefs' side. That's certainly the position being taken here as Kansas City's defense has completely revitalized the team. The Chiefs have outscored their last five opponents 143-48, and they haven't allowed a team to score more than two touchdowns in a game since Oct. 24. While I do think that latter streak ends Thursday night as the Chargers enter with all of their playmakers healthy, Kansas City should still win its seventh straight. I like KC to rely on its running game -- and Patrick Mahomes' legs -- to open things up against L.A.'s two-deep secondary.

Justin Herbert got a gift for this game when Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones was ruled out because Jones has been ripping up opponents' plays since Kansas City started this six-game win streak. The Chiefs have covered their last four with the defense allowing only nine points in each of the last three games. Jones is a big part of the reason; he blows up plays before they start. Herbert should have more freedom to produce scores like he has been doing the last two weeks. The Chiefs and Chargers will both score. Over is the best play.

We're seeing a Chiefs team that is playing some of its best football. What has been most impressive is its ability to run the football in recent weeks. We know that is one of the weaknesses of the Chargers defense, and look for KC to exploit that. On the other side, Kansas City's defense has gotten better each week, and should be able to disrupt the stellar Justin Herbert's timing in the passing game.

Kansas City has won six straight, allowing an average of 10.8 points during the streak. The Chiefs have forced multiple turnovers in five straight games. Their offense has cut down on turnovers, dropped passes and penalties, Not only are they playing efficiently, they're playing with emotion in support of corner L'Jarius Sneed, whose brother was fatally stabbed last Friday. This game should determine the AFC West title and the Chiefs have been itching for another shot at the Chargers since LA's 30-24 win at Arrowhead. Chris Jones and Josh Gordon likely are out Thursday, but the rest of KC's injury report looks good. Lay the field goal.

Pick against the Chiefs nowadays at your own risk. They have allowed 18 or more points just once in the past eight outings. While the offense has been less consistent, it shows sparks of the pre-2021 phase when Patrick Mahomes was a mystery to defenses. Road teams are 9-7 straight-up on Thursdays this year, and Kansas City's veteran coach Andy Reid has an edge on wonder boy Brandon Staley in an abbreviated week of prep. Though the Chargers are fairly new to L.A., the Chiefs have covered in seven of the last eight against them in Southern California.