NFL WEEK 15
GREG COTE’S THURSDAY PICK
CHIEFS (9-4) at CHARGERS (8-5)
Line: KC by 3.
Cote’s pick: KC, 27-23.
TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Fox/NFL.
Week 15 begins the NFL’s stretch run to the playoffs — byes done, four games left for everybody — and what better kickoff than a Thursday night duel for the AFC West lead? Bolts beat Chiefs 30-24 in Week 3 and are fortified now with the return of WR Keenan Allen off the COVID list and expected return of S Derwin James from injury. LAC also is hopeful RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) will be a go. Makes Chargers a ripe home dog, but I would hesitate. These rivals have similar potency on offense but there’s only one stout defense in this matchup. Kansas City has allowed only 65 points total in its six-game winning streak, including (oddly) allowing precisely nine points in each of its past three wins. Justin Herbert can be rattled — he has eight interceptions in team’s five losses — and no secondary in football is playing better these days than KC’s. Remember when the Chiefs were struggling at 3-4 and everybody thought the NFL had solved Patrick Mahomes? How cute. That was six straight wins ago. Chiefs are now AFC betting favorites ahead of New England to reach the Super Bowl. Thinking they will remind us why on Thursday night.
[Note: Betting line courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of mid-afternoon Wednesday.]
