Chiefs vs. Chargers: The best player prop bets for TNF
Week 15's Thursday Night Football battle will pit the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs against the surging Los Angeles Chargers, who sit one game behind the five-time reigning divisional champion.
In their first meeting of the season in Week 3, second-year quarterback Justin Herbert played spoiler when he found Mike Williams for a last-minute, game-winning touchdown to upset the Chiefs, 30-24, at Arrowhead.
Turnovers plagued Kansas City, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes was intercepted twice, and receiver Tyreek Hill and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire each lost fumbles.
Mahomes finished the day with 260 yards through the air and three passing scores, while Edwards-Helaire ran for 100 yards.
Herbert, on the other hand, threw for 281 yards and four touchdown passes, while Williams hauled in seven catches for 122 yards and two scores.
Those #Chargers-#Chiefs game are going to be amazing for years to come.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 26, 2021
Herbert 4 TDs, 0 INTs.
Mahomes 3 TDs, 2 INTs, including one late in 4th
Back in July: “Watch out for Justin Herbert next year.” @PatrickMahomes : “I’ll see it when I believe it.”pic.twitter.com/11WI4uxyoC
In the second half of the season, both of these teams have hit their stride, with both Mahomes and Herbert turning in strong performances in Week 14.
Let's further examine this Week 15 AFC West rematch, as we look at the three best player props to bet for Thursday Night Football.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Over/Under 50.5 rushing yards
Mahomes has been a shell of himself in 2021, and has been particularly spotty in the second half of the season.
Nonetheless, the Chiefs have strung together six straight victories behind a staunch defensive effort and a greater focus on the run game.
Starting back Edwards-Helaire already posted a 100-yard rushing performance against the Chargers (his first of two this season), and will be primed to break free for another solid rushing outing in Week 15.
The Chargers rank second to last in run defense (140.7 yards allowed), and have surrendered more than 50 yards to a single rusher in all but one game since their Week 7 bye.
Look for Kansas City to lean on Edwards-Helaire in the backfield to create balance in the offense and open up the passing game for Mahomes.
Pick: Over 50.5 rushing yards (-113)
Edwards-Helaire: anytime touchdown scorer
The second-year running back should get a few touches in the red zone as well as he faces a defense that averages the third most opponent rushing touchdowns per game (1.4).
Edwards-Helaire ran for two scores in a 48-19 beatdown of the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, and has recorded five total touchdowns in eight games played this season.
He scored one touchdown against the Chargers in Week 3, but that came on a 10-yard pass from Mahomes.
TOUCHDOWN#Chiefs: 17#Chargers: 14
— Mitchel Summers (@MitchSummersTV) September 26, 2021
Patrick Mahomes finds Clyde Edwards-Helaire for his second passing touchdown of the day. This was a nifty screen. The Chiefs finally take the lead. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/ZjFS1NhBwL
Whether on the ground or through the air, Edwards-Helaire will find the end zone at least once against the Chargers, who are tied for the fourth most opponent redzone scoring attempts per game (3.8).
Pick: Edwards-Helaire to score an anytime touchdown (-110)
Keenan Allen: Over/Under 75.5 receiving yards
The Chargers offense will come in a bit hobbled on Thursday, with running back Austin Ekeler, tight ends Jared Cook and Donald Parham Jr., and Williams all limited in practice this week.
The good news for Herbert, he is set to regain top receiver Keenan Allen, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of last week's matchup with the New York Giants.
In Allen's most recent outing, a 41-22 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he reeled in two touchdown catches but totaled just 34 receiving yards.
He also tallied 50 receiving yards against the Chiefs in Week 3, and should be a focus of the defense in Week 15.
While Williams was the star of the receiving corps in the first meeting, his heel injury will likely limit his effectiveness and make him less of a threat on a short week.
That will allow the Chiefs to hone in on Allen and keep the veteran wideout from topping 75 receiving yards on Thursday night.
Pick: Under 75.5 receiving yards (-115)
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