This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
Los Angeles Chargers 
at Kansas City Chiefs 
Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions for Thursday Night Football
This week's edition of Thursday Night Football brings a stellar matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams are coming off victories in Week 1, and have their sights set on making lengthy runs in the playoffs.
Let's get to the bevy of betting options that are available and highlight a few of them to consider.
Last article record: 2-1 (+0.78 units)
Season record: 2-1 (+0.78 units)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers Spread, Moneyline, and Total
Sign up at the DraftKings Sportsbook using RotoWire's DraftKings Promo Code to get $200 in free bets. Odds are courtesy of DraftKings, and here are my picks for tonight.
Chiefs: Spread: -4.5 (-105), -205 Moneyline
Chargers: Spread +4.5 (-115), +175 Moneyline
Game Total: 54.5 Points
Thursday Night Football - Chiefs vs. Chargers Best Bets and Player Props
Travis Kelce over 76.5 Receiving Yards (-140 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
With Tyreek Hill no longer in the picture, Kelce is now the Chiefs' undisputed top pass-catching option. Opposing defenses may try to focus more on stopping him this season, but that doesn't mean that they'll be able to. He torched the Cardinals in Week 1, catching eight of nine targets for 121 yards and a touchdown.
The Chargers probably aren't happy to see Kelce, since they have had no answer for him in recent seasons. The one game that he played against them in 2020, he caught nine of 14 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. He received a total of 24 targets across two games against them last season, finishing with 104 and 191 receiving yards, respectively. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him blow past the over on this prop.
JuJu Smith-Schuster over 55.5 receiving yards (-125 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
The Chiefs could have a more balanced passing game with Hill gone, taking a group approach to help make up for his absence. Still, Smith-Schuster is in an excellent position to take over as their top wide receiver. He received eight targets in Week 1, which were second on the team only to Kelce.
Smith-Schuster made the most of his opportunities in his first game as a Chief, posting six receptions for 79 yards. The Chargers could be compromised in their secondary with J.C. Jackson still dealing with an ankle injury that forced him to miss Week 1. Even if he is able to take the field Thursday, he might not be completely healthy. In what should be a high-scoring game, the over here for Smith-Schuster is appealing.
Patrick Mahomes over 2.5 Passing Touchdowns (+114 FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 unit
The fact that this bet has plus odds is surprising. Mahomes had five touchdown passes in Week 1, completing 30 of 39 pass attempts for 360 yards. This game has a high total, so points will likely not be difficult to come by for the Chiefs.
Mahomes began last season with at least three touchdown passes in each of the first four games. In two meetings with the Chargers, he had at least three touchdown passes both times. The risk here could be well worth the potential reward.
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Thursday Night Football Betting Picks - Chiefs vs. Chargers
- Travis Kelce over 76.5 Receiving Yards (-140 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
- JuJu Smith-Schuster over 55.5 receiving yards (-125 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
- Patrick Mahomes over 2.5 Passing Touchdowns (+114 FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 unit
For more picks, check out our NFL Week 2 picks, and you can always find the latest Week 2 odds.
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