Rejoice: Thursday night games end with a special matchup

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:17 p.m. ET

For those fans who dislike Thursday night football, rejoice that this week is the final game of the season on such short rest.

Also rejoice that it's one of the best matchups of the year, with hefty implications in the standings, as Kansas City hosts the Los Angeles Chargers.

Even with a loss, the Chiefs keep the top spot in the AFC West with a better division record as the teams will have split their series. A win for Kansas City (11-2) could secure the top seed in the conference, though, depending on what happens to the Patriots and Texans.

The Chargers (10-3), who lost to KC 38-28 in the season opener, will own a postseason berth with a victory. They also can get in with a loss and help elsewhere, but those scenarios give Pro Picks a migraine.

Los Angeles, ranked fourth in the AP Pro32, is a 3½-point underdog at top-ranked Kansas City. We think, right now, the Chargers are the better-balanced team, though winning on the road on Thursday nights is very difficult, especially if the top two running backs are out. That could be the case with Melvin Gordon (knee) and Austin Ekeler (neck, concussion protocol) uncertain.

Bye-bye Thursday nights.

CHIEFS, 30-29

KNOCKOUT POOL: Too bad we had to make last week's selection before all the Broncos' injuries hit. If you're still alive — Pro Picks most certainly is not — try BALTIMORE.

No. 19 Green Bay (plus 5 1-2) at No. 6 Chicago

Normally, letdown for Bears could be expected. Not against Packers, though.

BEST BET: BEARS, 23-16

No. 9 Dallas (plus 3) at No. 11 Indianapolis

We recognize this could be sucker bet. OK, we're suckers.

UPSET SPECIAL: COWBOYS, 20-17

No. 5 New England (minus 1 1-2) at No. 10 Pittsburgh

Steelers about to blow division and possibly wild card.

PATRIOTS, 39-32

No. 22 Tampa Bay (plus 8) at No. 12 Baltimore

Ravens about to surge to AFC North title.

RAVENS, 26-20