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The NFL regular season is officially underway after lightning show in Philadelphia that caused a delay in the Cowboys and Eagles matchup, and the action continues Friday with the Chiefs and Chargers at 8 p.m. ET. Instead of being in Los Angeles or Kansas City, the NFL heads to Brazil on Friday night, yet another step in professional football's attempt to "spread the game" (or, as they would likely say internally, absorb every waking second of every day of every month in every country, not that anyone is complaining!). 

Hopefully this one has the fireworks we saw in the first half of Thursday's game before the lengthy weather delay, but it was also nice to get the Under in for our first wager of the 2025 season.

The prop bets both barely lost, and I would bet that if Jalen Carter could prevent himself from spitting on an opponent before kickoff that the Javonte Williams rushing yards Under bet -- which almost hit despite Williams finding paydirt twice! -- would have gotten home pretty easy. Bad runout on both of those courtesy of a surprising game script. 

Click here to bet on Chiefs vs. Chargers at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket and $300 in bonus bets:

Anyways, let's head to South American for Chiefs vs. Chargers in Brazil in what should be a great final game of the work week before we get a loaded 13-game slate on Sunday.

If you're new to NFL betting or need a refresher, you should check out our NFL betting guide with the season now underway. Additionally, be sure to check out the SportsLine Projection Model's forecast for the entire Chiefs-Chargers game.

Top straight bet (spread, money line or total)

Chiefs -3

I've actually gone back and forth in this game due to a lot of unknowns here. To some degree, though, you need to play into the narrative with your gut when it comes to the Chiefs. The Chargers will probably be who they are under Jim Harbaugh. With Harbaugh and Greg Roman running the show, Los Angeles wants to run the ball, be physical and let Justin Herbert attack you efficiently. The team can get into shootouts at times, but generally speaking, the Chargers want to play a ball control-type of game.

On the other side, the Chiefs can be a sloggy, non-covering machine OR they can be a Star Wars-type offense! You never know. It is worth noting that the last time the Chiefs got blown out in a Super Bowl against a good defense where Patrick Mahomes was under siege behind a bad offensive line, the Chiefs showed up the next season ready to cook as Mahomes threw the ball 36 times for 337 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-29 win over a frisky Browns team.

I think we're getting that version of the Chiefs offense. On a big stage in primetime to start the year, the Chiefs serve notice they're here to score and score a lot, with Mahomes playing elite football, not making mistakes and winning by more than a field goal in this neutral site game. The narrative streets are fine to live in for Week 1 if you think there's an advantage, and we might have one here with the Chiefs. You can bet the Chiefs at BetMGM, where new users get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if their first bet doesn't win:

Chiefs-Chargers player props

Ladd McConkey 5+ receptions/Travis Kelce 5+ receptions (+140 at Fanatics Sportsbook)

This number has cratered in some spots from when I gave it out on The Early Edge two weeks ago (make sure and check out the show and hit that subscribe button for elite sports betting content), but this was an eye-popping number I caught overnight at Fanatics. McConkey is a target monster on a Chargers team with minimal competition. Yes, the Bolts brought back Keenan Allen, but that was pretty recent, and Quentin Johnston just came out of concussion protocol. McConkey should feast in the short-yardage passing game, and five catches is no problem here. He hit that number in 12 of 16 games last season, and two of the times he fell short, the Chargers won by double digits, which they're unlikely to do against Mahomes and Co. Kelce is newly reinvigorated for what might be his final season, and I think he shows out in his first game as a freshly engaged man. With no Rashee Rice and an international stage, I'd be shocked if Kelce didn't have a strong game. 

Xavier Worthy Longest Reception Over 21.5 (-114 at FanDuel)

Worthy is one of the most explosive playmakers in the league, a record-holder in terms of speed, and he can hit this number in a variety of ways. Whether it's on a shot down the field early, which I expect the Chiefs to take, or via a bubble screen, which Andy Reid loves to throw, Worthy's a threat for 20+ yards every time he touches the ball. 

Anytime touchdown

Omarion Hampton anytime TD (+155 at DraftKings)

The rookie out of UNC is going to be electric this season. I have him at +1600 to win OROY from back in March, and I -- prepare yourself for a hot take here -- would not be surprised in the slightest if he ended up having a better overall year than Ashton Jeanty with the Raiders. No knock on Jeanty at all, Hampton is that good. Najee Harris is active for this game and also a decent look to score at +195, but Harris' lack of practice time this season leads me to believe Hampton will still get the lion's share of the work near the goal line, although he could certainly cede really short-yardage goal work to Harris some. Still, I expect him to find paydirt and love the plus number here. 

Noah Gray anytime TD (+410 at FanDuel)

Don't get me wrong: I think Kelce is the focal point for this team when it comes to the tight end position, and he's primed for a huge season. But Reid isn't scared to get a little crazy with the Cheez Whiz early in the year, and with defenses focusing on Kelce down in the red zone early, Gray is always a threat to sneak out and grab one on a play action or bootleg look on the opposite side of Kelce in jumbo formations. Also love him for first touchdown scored if you can find something good. 

Odds boost notes

No such luck (as of Friday morning) on any Happy Hour bets like we got for the Eagles game: both the Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts boosts got home early, so keep an eye out for what's offered beyond the standard boosts (plenty of 50% parlay boosts are available though).