Friday Night Football Odds Week 1: Chiefs vs Chargers

NFL
September 1, 2025


The NFL season begins with an international showcase between two AFC West rivals. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers will meet on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. 

Kickoff is set for 8:00 pm ET, with streaming available worldwide on our BUSR Experience platform. This high-profile matchup has drawn immediate attention from NFL Odds makers and bettors eager to get an early edge on NFL Betting markets.

While Thursday Night Football typically dominates the primetime conversation, this rare Friday Night Football date opener delivers a global spotlight with division stakes in play.

 

BUSR Current Odds

 

According to BUSR, the Chiefs are listed as 3-point favorites with a spread of -3 (-118). Their moneyline sits at -170, while the Chargers are priced at +138 on the moneyline with a spread of +3 (-102). The total for the game is set at 46 points, with both the over and under available at -110.

These lines reflect Kansas City’s status as the reigning AFC powerhouse and a team accustomed to big-stage international contests. 

Los Angeles, while improved under Jim Harbaugh, enters as the underdog in a setting where experience abroad may play a role. Bettors evaluating these NFL Odds will weigh Kansas City’s playoff pedigree against Los Angeles’ potential for growth in year two of Harbaugh’s tenure.

 

Kansas City Chiefs: Seeking Redemption

 

Bet on Football with the latest news, expert picks and the best NFL Wildcard Games. 🏈 JOIN NOW and win up to $2,500 BONUS 🏈Kansas City finished the 2024 season with a 15-2 overall record, including a 5-1 mark in AFC West play. They were perfect at home with an 8-0 record and strong on the road at 7-2. Offensively, the Chiefs averaged 22.6 points per game and 327.6 total yards per contest. Defensively, they allowed 19.2 points per game and held opponents to 320.6 yards.

Patrick Mahomes once again led the offense, finishing with 3,928 passing yards. Kareem Hunt contributed 728 rushing yards, and Travis Kelce added 823 receiving yards to lead the team through another deep postseason run. Despite those numbers, the Chiefs ended the season with a disappointing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It marked a rare blemish on an otherwise dominant run that has delivered two championships in the last three years.

Head coach Andy Reid enters his 13th season at the helm, bringing unmatched continuity and an offensive scheme built around Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and attack defenses at every level. The Chiefs are no strangers to global showcases, having played multiple international games in recent seasons. That experience gives them an advantage heading into São Paulo, where crowd dynamics and travel adjustments can impact preparation.

Kansas City’s motivation cannot be overlooked. Coming off a Super Bowl defeat, this team has spent the offseason focused on redemption. The offensive core remains intact, and their defensive numbers from last year suggest balance on both sides of the ball. For bettors, the Chiefs’ ability to win in non-traditional environments has become a reliable trend.

 

Los Angeles Chargers: Building Under Harbaugh

 

Bet on Football with the latest news, expert picks and the best NFL Wildcard Games. 🏈 JOIN NOW and win up to $2,500 BONUS 🏈Los Angeles posted an 11-6 record last season, finishing 4-2 in the AFC West. They were solid both at home and on the road, going 5-3 and 6-3, respectively. Their offense averaged 23.6 points per game and 324.2 yards, while the defense allowed 17.7 points per game and 324.4 yards.

Quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 3,870 yards, proving steady under pressure. J.K. Dobbins powered the ground game with 905 rushing yards, and rookie standout Ladd McConkey led the receiving corps with 1,149 yards. These performances propelled the Chargers into the postseason, though they once again failed to advance past the early rounds.

Jim Harbaugh completed his first year as head coach with a strong regular season, but Los Angeles continues to search for a breakthrough in January. Entering his second season, Harbaugh’s focus will be on building consistency and preparing the Chargers for long-term success in the playoffs.

One challenge for Los Angeles in this opener is the setting. The Chargers have not played internationally since 2019, creating an unfamiliar environment for the roster. Travel logistics, neutral-site dynamics, and the intensity of facing Kansas City in a season opener present significant obstacles. Still, Los Angeles demonstrated growth under Harbaugh last season, and their young offensive core provides optimism for bettors looking at long-term futures.

 

Prediction and Analysis

 

The Chiefs

The spread sits at Chiefs -3, a number that reflects Kansas City’s status as the more experienced and accomplished team. The Chiefs’ recent history of international competition gives them a preparation edge, while the Chargers enter unfamiliar territory. Both teams are healthy, with no notable injuries listed ahead of kickoff.

The Chiefs’ combination of Mahomes and Kelce remains one of the most trusted connections in football, and their ability to strike early could force Los Angeles into a catch-up role. Kansas City’s defense, which allowed fewer than 20 points per game last season, provides balance that often tips close games in their favor.

The Chargers

For the Chargers, Herbert’s connection with McConkey and Keenan Allen will be critical. Dobbins offers stability in the running game, but Kansas City’s ability to control tempo may limit his impact. Harbaugh’s leadership has raised expectations, but Los Angeles has yet to prove it can consistently overcome the league’s elite in playoff-style matchups.

The Betting Angle

From a betting perspective, the Chiefs’ strong record against the spread in tight lines stands out. They are 12-4 ATS in games where the line is between +3 and -3. They also trend heavily to the under, with a 25-16 mark in totals across all games and a 10-2 record to the under against division opponents. The Chargers, meanwhile, are 4-8 ATS as an underdog and 3-6 ATS on grass fields, both indicators that suggest value on Kansas City’s side.

With the total set at 46, trends suggest another under outcome is possible. The Chiefs’ defense has been steady, and the Chargers’ defense quietly allowed fewer than 18 points per game last year. Both teams have leaned toward unders in recent betting history, with Los Angeles going 20-14 and Kansas City 25-16.

The psychological angle also matters. Kansas City is entering the season motivated to erase the memory of its championship loss and with its eyes on its odds to win the Super Bowl again. Opening in Brazil provides an opportunity to make a statement. The Chargers, while improved, face the toughest possible opponent for a season debut.

 

NFL Betting Trends

 

Kansas City Chiefs:

  • 12-4 ATS in games where the line is between +3 and -3
  • 7-4 ATS on the road on grass fields
  • 25-16 to the under in all games
  • 21-13 to the under as a favorite
  • 10-2 to the under versus division opponents

Los Angeles Chargers:

  • 4-8 ATS as an underdog
  • 3-6 ATS on grass fields
  • 20-14 to the under in all games
  • 8-4 to the under as an underdog
  • 10-5 to the under with totals between 42.5 and 49 points

 

Prediction: The recommended betting play is Kansas City -3, with value also leaning toward the under at 46.

 

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