Chiefs vs. Chargers: TNF betting odds, preview, and pick

Just one game behind the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles Chargers will host their division foe in a crucial Thursday Night Football battle in Week 15.

Chargers bested Chiefs in Week 3 meeting

In their first head-to-head meeting of the season, Los Angeles upset Kansas City, 30-24, at Arrowhead in Week 3, as the Chiefs turned the ball over four times, including on two intercepted passes by Patrick Mahomes.

As has been the case for much of the season, the Chiefs struggled to jump-start their high-powered offense and dug themselves into a 14-3 hole heading into halftime.

Mahomes found his stride coming out of the break and threw for three touchdown passes, including one to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who ran for 100 yards on the day.

With less than three minutes to go, Kansas City appeared well on its way to a victory, but the Chargers kicked a game-tying field goal with 2:14 left on the clock, before Justin Herbert found receiver Mike Williams for a game-winning touchdown with 32 seconds remaining.

Herbert finished the contest with 281 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Williams hauled in seven catches for 122 yards and a pair of scores.

The win marked the Chargers' second straight victory in Arrowhead. However, the Chargers have not defeated Kansas City in LA since 2013.

Chiefs bring six-game win streak to SoFi

Following that Week 3 loss to Los Angeles, the Chiefs dropped two more games, to Buffalo and Tennessee, to bring their record to 3-4 entering Week 8. 

Since then, Kansas City has leaned on its defense to right the ship and has built a six-win streak, with victories over the New York Giants, Green Bay, Dallas, Denver, and the Raiders (twice).

In Week 14, Kansas City beat down on Las Vegas for the second time this season and returned to its usual dominance on offense.

Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns, while he ran for 20 of the Chiefs' 132 rushing yards in the 48-9 onslaught.

Edwards-Helaire added 37 rushing yards and two scores on 10 carries, and first-year running back Derrick Gore ran for a game-high 66, plus a touchdown, on nine attempts.

The Chiefs defense looked just as good, as it forced five turnovers and returned a fumble 23 yards to the end zone on the first possession of the game.

The Chargers will also enter Thursday's matchup on a win streak of two games, after they dismantled the Giants, 37-21, on Sunday.

Herbert went 23-of-31 for 275 yards and threw for two of his three touchdown passes in the first half, in which the Chargers built a commanding 24-7 lead.

Chiefs and Chargers betting trends

• Kansas City is 4-0 ATS in its last four games as a favorite
• Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last five games as an underdog
• The Under is 6-2 in Kansas City's last eight games as a favorite
• The Over is 5-2 in Los Angeles' last seven games overall
• The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles
• Kansas City is 7-1 ATS in its last eight meetings in Los Angeles

High-scoring thriller set for primetime

With both of these teams fighting for first in the AFC West, this Thursday Night Football clash should make for a brutal, back-and-forth brawl.

The Chargers and Chiefs rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in passing yards per game and are tied for eighth in the league in points per contest (27).

Defense is another story. The Chargers rank fifth in passing yards allowed (207.3), but own the second worst run defense (140.7) in the league and surrender 25.8 points per game (26th in the NFL).

The Chiefs rank in the bottom 10 in pass defense, but are 14th against the run and sixth in points allowed (20.6).

Mahomes will be the key to repaying Los Angeles for his team's Week 3 loss. If he can cut down on the turnovers that have plagued him for much of the season, he'll have the upper hand on his division opponent and can secure the Chiefs' seventh straight win, as they lobby for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Score prediction: Chiefs 27, Chargers 24

NFL Week 15 pick: Over 50.5

Chiefs vs. Chargers Pick powered by The Quant Edge

Our predictive engine is calling for the Chiefs to cover the spread and for the score to go Over the projected total.