Though most of the NFL playoff spots are locked, a handful of spaces remain for teams who win in Week 17. Both the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs are such teams, which makes it so interesting to watch Chargers vs Chiefs game online or on TV today. While San Diego just needs a win, the Chiefs need a combination of factors to hit the playoffs. If you’re unable to watch on TV, you can watch Chargers vs Chiefs game online live free stream as well.
Kickoff for today’s Chiefs vs Chargers game live is 1pm EST / 10am PST from Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City enters as a three-point favorite over the Chargers according to Oddshark, though the spread is somewhat surprising.
On one hand, today’s Chargers game live marks a road trip for San Diego, and home teams are generally given three points. However, as we watch Chiefs game online live or on TV today, we won’t see quarterback Alex Smith leading the Chiefs offense. Smith was ruled out for today’s Chargers vs Chiefs game on Friday night after being diagnosed with a lacerated spleen.
In Smith’s place, the Chiefs will rely on backup QB Chase Daniel. Daniel has just one career start, ironically in Week 17 last season against the Chargers. The Chiefs lost last year’s Week 17 game to the Chargers 27-24, but Daniel played well, completing 21-of-30 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown. Whether he can play as well as we watch Chargers online live free or on TV today is another story completely. San Diego this season has the NFL’s sixth-ranked pass defense.
Kansas City’s defense is even better, particularly against the pass. That should pose a tough test on the road for Chargers QB Philip Rivers. Rivers is just five yards shy of passing for 4,000 yards this year to go with his 31 TDs. Rivers will surely hit the 4K mark as we watch Chiefs game online live today, but he may have to do so without wide receiver Keenan Allen, who’s listed as doubtful with a collarbone injury.
Unfortunately for the Chargers, running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) has officially been ruled out for today’s Chiefs game. That means San Diego won’t likely be able to capitalize on the Chiefs’ lowly rushing defense. Through 16 weeks, the Chiefs have allowed an average of 128.3 rushing yards per game, 28th in the league.
Still, the pressure is more on the Kansas City Chiefs than the San Diego Chargers. Beat the Chiefs, and San Diego clinches a playoff spot. But Kansas City, playing with a backup QB, need three things to happen Sunday to reach the playoffs. First is beating San Diego, second is the Baltimore Ravens losing to the Browns, and third is the Houston Texans either losing outright to the Jaguars or tying (neither of which is likely).
If you’re unable to watch Chiefs game live on TV as they host the San Diego Chargers, you can watch Chargers vs Chiefs game online live free stream on CBS Sports website. You can also watch Chargers online live against the Chiefs on the DirecTV website if you have an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription with the MAX package.
