41:I[29208,["/_next/static/chunks/2jhrjnncm5raz.js","/_next/static/chunks/1gw-kb5iisnl3.js","/_next/static/chunks/1yt446igj3lq7.js","/_next/static/chunks/0l-6rirxtdwmo.js","/_next/static/chunks/2garizayuhlpl.js","/_next/static/chunks/3-0vwtd1eg-pp.js","/_next/static/chunks/2udqgiyebnpne.js","/_next/static/chunks/2l-gom9jx5wxg.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dsjsiwpje-72.js","/_next/static/chunks/3vdprxpabg9bg.js","/_next/static/chunks/0s7b7lxeeaa3w.js"],"default"] 3b:T1f29,

Imagine you get your dream job, one of 32 such positions on the planet. You have to take over an organization whose components - both good and bad - are largely static due to commitments, contractual obligations, and availability of resources, so you have to make decisions based on what you've got to work with. That's what the Chargers tasked Brandon Staley with going into his first year as head coach.

Los Angeles missed the playoffs largely because of a handful of high-leverage plays where Staley played the odds, repeatedly pushing his chips into the middle of the table only to frequently see the dice land the last way he'd hoped.

What does the market think of Staley's analytics-based hyper-aggressive approach following a robust offseason that addressed the inherited issues?

2022 Season odds

Market	Odds (O/U)
Win total	10.0 (-135/+115)
Division	+220
Conference	+750
Super Bowl	+1400

Despite more continuity at key organizational positions, L.A.'s win total is the same as the new-look Broncos, with the team's pricing just a shade shorter than its division rival's across the main markets.

Schedule outlook

Week	Opponent	Lookahead line
1	LV	-3.5
2	@KC	+3
3	JAX	-10
4	@HOU	-8
5	@CLE	N/A
6	DEN	-3
7	SEA	-8.5
9	@ATL	-6.5
10	@SF	PK
11	KC	-1.5
12	@ARZ	-1.5
13	@LV	PK
14	MIA	-5.5
15	TEN	-5
16	@IND	-1
17	LAR	-1.5
18	@DEN	PK

The Chargers' schedule is not messing around right away, as they take on the Raiders and Chiefs within five days. After a Week 8 bye, they should be decent-sized favorites in four of their final 10 games, with the other six matchups being coin flips.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

You already know about Justin Herbert and the throws he's capable of making. The Chargers' quarterback has yet to hit his ceiling, passing touchdowns to a dozen different players in his two campaigns without much of a traditional running game to lean on. The offensive line revamp that began before last season with the drafting of already-outstanding Rashawn Slater continued in April with Zion Johnson's addition at guard.

Staley knew the Chargers' fatal flaw - their defense. He knew voluntarily punting the ball back to the opponent would likely end badly. So he leaned on Herbert and went for it on fourth down when most wouldn't - particularly those with an old-school mindset. Cue this offseason's changes.

Utilizing the large piece of the salary cap pie that would normally go to a top-tier quarterback, the Chargers used the money they've saved from having Herbert still on his rookie deal to go shopping. Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson, Bryce Callahan, and Sebastian Joseph-Day join Joey Bosa, Derwin James, and other highly-drafted youngsters in the hopes that a defense this stacked can't fail.

Weaknesses

If a traditional running game is still critical to success, then the Chargers need to improve. If they call so many runs that it's critical, that'll be a weakness. However, Staley knows that calling runs merely establishes on-field physicality over efficiency.

Maybe a bolstered defense doesn't pan out. Mack, on his third team - a usual red flag in the NFL - might not be able to play a 17+ game season, at which point, Staley's game of analytical roulette will leave L.A. vulnerable to short-term variance. Going for it on 4th down and not succeeding is easier to swallow when the defense can bow up to get the ball back.

Opportunities

We know what to expect of the other highly-rated teams, but in just the third year of Herbert, the second year of Staley, and the tangible roster adjustments, there's a greater chance that this team surprises and reaches rare heights. For example, a 13-4 season is in play, clearing their prescribed win total by three (or more).

Threats

High expectations with little in the way of proven previous success is often a bad recipe for bettors. While we try not to believe in mystique or curses, the Chargers franchise has long been a candidate for Murphy's Law - anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

From a micro standpoint, the Chargers' defense appeared to hinge on James' availability against quality offenses. The 2021 season may have ended differently had the team closed out an overtime loss to Kansas City. That game fell apart at halftime when James exited with an injury, leaving Travis Kelce to have his way in the L.A. secondary.

How to bet the Chargers

It's an unusual combination, but Staley's hot-button decision-making last season - along with the high expectations going into this year - means it will be very hard for him to win Coach of the Year. Herbert, listed at +1000 for MVP, will get the most credit for a big Chargers season, but those odds are short since he's also favored to lead the league in passing yards.

Mike Williams (+2500) is an interesting option to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns. Herbert's big target had nine touchdowns last year despite catching just seven red zone targets.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

3c:T1f29,

What does the market think of Staley's analytics-based hyper-aggressive approach following a robust offseason that addressed the inherited issues?

2022 Season odds

Market	Odds (O/U)
Win total	10.0 (-135/+115)
Division	+220
Conference	+750
Super Bowl	+1400

Schedule outlook

Week	Opponent	Lookahead line
1	LV	-3.5
2	@KC	+3
3	JAX	-10
4	@HOU	-8
5	@CLE	N/A
6	DEN	-3
7	SEA	-8.5
9	@ATL	-6.5
10	@SF	PK
11	KC	-1.5
12	@ARZ	-1.5
13	@LV	PK
14	MIA	-5.5
15	TEN	-5
16	@IND	-1
17	LAR	-1.5
18	@DEN	PK

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

How to bet the Chargers

Mike Williams (+2500) is an interesting option to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns. Herbert's big target had nine touchdowns last year despite catching just seven red zone targets.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

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DENVER (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t need the usual heroics from Patrick Mahomes to rout the Denver Broncos 43-16 Sunday for their 10th straight win over their AFC West rivals.

The Chiefs (6-1) found other ways to dominate Denver (2-4) on a snowy afternoon that began with a temperature of 14 degrees at kickoff.

Kansas City took a 24-9 halftime lead even though Mahomes completed just one pass in the second quarter, a 5-yarder, and had just 99 yards through the air in the first half.

Mahomes finally extended his NFL-leading streak to 17 consecutive games with a touchdown throw when he hit Tyreek Hill from 10 yards with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

That made it 37-9 and compelled Broncos pass rusher Bradley Chubb to blow up at his teammates on the sideline.

Mahomes' TD throw to Hill followed the Chiefs’ fourth takeaway, an interception by Tyrann Mathieu when rookie KJ Hamler let Drew Lock’s pass bounce off him and right into the arms of the Chiefs star cornerback.

Mahomes finished a methodical 15 of 23 for 200 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions and four sacks.

A week after the Chiefs ran more times than they threw it for the first time in Andy Reid's eight seasons in Kansas City, it was K.C.'s ground game, special teams and defense that did the damage in Denver in the NFL's first snow game of 2020.

In the first half, the Chiefs scored touchdowns on Byron Pringle’s 102-yard kickoff return and Daniel Sorensen’s 50-yard interception return to go with Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 11-yard run in which he broke five tackles.

Edwards-Hilaire carved his way through a wall of Denver defenders to open the scoring on a snowy, freezing afternoon.

Running up the middle, the rookie plowed through linebacker Alexander Johnson and defensive backs Kareem Jackson, Bryce Callahan, Justin Simmons and Michael Ojemudia like a bowling ball knocking down pins.

The Broncos responded with Lock’s first career touchdown run, from 2 yards, but Brandon McManus missed the extra point, leaving Kansas City ahead 7-6.

Sorensen jumped the route and picked off Lock’s throw to tight end Noah Fant at midfield and trotted into the end zone for a 17-6 lead.

After McManus’ 43-yard field goal, Pringle took the kickoff 2 yards deep and ran trough Denver’s poor coverage to make it 24-9.

This game marked the first time running backs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay were both healthy since the opener, but Lindsay went out with a concussion just before halftime after gaining 79 yards on nine carries. He didn’t return.

Gordon, who missed last week's win at New England with strep throat a few days after his arrest for driving under the influence, turned the ball over on a failed flea flicker on Denver's first drive of the second half.

Gordon, who also lost a fumble in the first half, overthrew Lock on his toss-back and Frank Clark recovered for Kansas City. That takeaway led to a field goal and a 27-9 lead.

Gordon's short TD run in the closing minutes made it 37-16.

Le'Veon Bell ran six times for 39 yards in his Chiefs debut, and Edwards-Helaire had 46 yards on eight carries.

INJURIES

Broncos: Lindsay (concussion) didn't return after halftime. Lock landed awkwardly when he slid after a scramble in the second half, but took off the brace on his left leg and missed just one play.

UP NEXT:

Chiefs: Host New York Jets on Sunday.

Broncos: Host Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

___

Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

3e:T1091,

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