MNF player props: Best bets for Chiefs-Chargers
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers meet for a Monday night prime-time clash in Mexico City. Here are the best player props for the neutral-site, divisional tilt.
Melvin Gordon over 81.5 rushing + receiving yards
Kansas City's defense still doesn't know how to stop opposing running backs. It's allowed at least 100 yards on the ground or through the air to the position in seven of 10 contests this season. Overall, the Chiefs are surrendering an average of 181 scrimmage yards per game to running backs in 2019.
Admittedly, the overall rushing total for Gordon is worrying - the Chargers are 4.5-point 'dogs and have to keep pace with the Chiefs' potent offense - so the best bet here is taking his total scrimmage yards. Gordon's workload has finally been ramped up to the point where he's taking two of every three snaps, as opposed to just half the snaps earlier in the season. He's seen 47 combined touches over the last two games, which should inspire hope that the old Gordon has returned for the Los Angeles' offense.
Travis Kelce under 6.5 catches and 71.5 yards
The Chargers' defense is flawed but has done a good job of covering tight ends; only the Patriots allow fewer points per game to the position. Los Angeles gets one of the league's best Monday in the form of Kelce, who's averaged roughly four catches and 37 yards in his career against L.A. Over their last seven contests, the Chargers haven't allowed more than four catches to a tight end, and only one surpassed 71 yards.
Keenan Allen under 5.5 catches and longest reception under 21.5 yards
The Chiefs quietly rank No. 5 in the league in pass defense DVOA due in large part to blanketing opposing quarterbacks' No. 1 options. They held Minnesota's Stefon Diggs to one catch, Houston's DeAndre Hopkins to 55 yards, and Indianapolis' T.Y. Hilton to four grabs and 37 yards this season. Allen has always been a mainstay for quarterback Philip Rivers but has seen six or fewer targets in four of the last seven games. Against the Chiefs' defense, which has been pretty good at limiting explosive passing plays and can guard the slot well, we'll probably see more unders in Allen's stat line.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.