SPORTS N STUFF

After watching the sports betting favorites earn wins in each of the first seven Monday Night Football games, the Jacksonville Jaguars decided that they werent going to let that trend continue any longer in week seven, when they took down the heavily favored Baltimore Ravens 15-7. Unlike the Ravens, the San Diego Chargers will enter their first MNF contest looking to make sure that they arent caught with the same lack of urgency and intensity as Baltimore, with a trip to Missouri to clash with the division rival Kansas City Chiefs.

San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Monday October 31, 2011 8:35 PM ET
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Bet Football Online Spread: San Diego Chargers 3.5

What would have been a heavy mismatch just a few weeks ago is now a crucial matchup in the battle for AFC West supremacy, as the Chiefs have won three straight games to climb back to .500, one game back of San Diego for first in the division. The Chargers have started fast at home with three straight wins, but turnovers have led to their undoing in a pair of road losses this season.

Chargers Chiefs Betting Preview: San Diego Chargers

It was the Chargers that actually led the New York Jets by 10 at the half before falling apart in the second half, where San Diego was outscored 17-0 en route to a tough loss. While their defense had now answer for Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress and his three touchdown catches, it was the offense that gave New York life with Phillip Rivers throwing a couple of awful interceptions in situations where he had the opportunity to simply throw the ball away under pressure. The Chargers rank seventh in passing yards on the season but better ball security will be crucial if they are going to win a tough game against a division rival on the road, while the defense can help by creating some turnovers of their own against a Chiefs offense that has gotten hot in recent weeks.

Chargers Chiefs Betting Preview: Kansas City Chiefs

Less than a month ago tt seemed as though it would be a long season in Kansas City, where the team was reeling from the loss of two of their top players on each side of the ball in running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry en route to an 0-3 start. But the emergence of a couple of young players has helped the Chiefs turn it around, with the running back tandem of Dexter McCluster and Jackie Battle leading the way on the ground with each averaging at least five yards per carry. Kansas Citys defense looked strong in a 28-0 win over the Oakland Raiders last week with six interceptions for the shutout, and will look to build on that effort this Monday.

Chargers Chiefs Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

While they may not get the bet on sports win, the Chiefs wont go down easily on Monday Night Football in front of the hometown fans, and as long as they can avoid turning the ball over this one should stay close. Kansas City has rallied with three straight wins to climb back in to the playoff picture in the AFC West, and now that they have their shot its unlikely they will allow this one to slide out of control.

Chargers Chiefs Betting Pick: Kansas City Chiefs