t’s never boring when the Chargers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s why the NFL put the Bolts’ trip to Arrowhead in the Sunday Night spot. This year, the tough matchup is even more star-studded.
As always, QBs Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes lead the way for their offenses as two of the best at their position. Derwin James and Travis Kelce will be facing off for the first time this season, which is one of the best matchups between a DB and a pass-catcher in the league every time they face off.
The Chargers will lean on weapons like Ladd McConkey (should he suit up) and Gus Edwards, while the Chiefs boast DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Pacheco, and Kareem Hunt. The Chargers’ defense has studs like Khalil Mack, Poona Ford, and Daiyan Henley while the Chargers are game-planning for Nick Bolton and Trent McDuffie. This season, another level has been added to the matchup as Jim Harbaugh and Andy Reid have possibly become the best coaching matchup in football.
This is not the same Chargers team the Chiefs faced at the beginning of the season. Derwin James will play after missing the first installment due to a suspension from the NFL. The offensive line is healthy, a big difference from the group that committed penalties every other play in SoFi. Most importantly. They have more of an identity. They have one of the best defenses in football and will run it if they can. With JK Dobbins out, this could be harder to accomplish, but it may not matter against the Chiefs’ secondary. Kansas City does not have the greatest pass defense, and it may encourage Greg Roman to flex Justin Herbert’s arm a little throughout the night. Of course, nothing is that easy.
Chargers star rookie receiver Ladd McConkey is listed as questionable with both knee and shoulder injuries. McConkey played through the shoulder injury all last week, visibly shaken up after every hit. While his status is still up in the air, his absence would change the momentum of the whole offense.
Quentin Johnston has been in a rut and their other weapons can’t get anything going. JK Dobbins is out and their run game is not what it can be without him. Overall, their offense is not where they want it to be, but Kansas City’s defense could be what provides them with the opportunity to get the job done in the air.
McConkey is not the only player whose status for Sunday night is in doubt. The most notable is LB Denzel Perryman. Perryman has been a solid guy in the middle for the Chargers but missed last week’s game against the Falcons. With that being said, third-round pick Junior Colson was activated from IR with the chance to play this week, where he would fill in for Perryman.
Additionally, veteran S Tony Jefferson is questionable with a hamstring injury. The former Ravens star played his first regular season game in Atlanta after coming out of retirement, spending last year as a scouting intern for the Ravens. Jefferson had a standout performance, and DC Jesse Minter would love to have him return against Kansas City.
Speaking of Jesse Minter, he may be the X-Factor in this game for Los Angeles. The Chargers’ defense has been the unit costing them games against Kansas City. Now, the Chiefs offense is producing less than they have in years, and the Bolts defense is as good as ever. Adding in Minter’s defensive shells and his scheme as a whole, it makes it hard for any quarterback or coach to dissect – even Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Should the Chargers slow down the Chiefs while on defense, they can have a real shot to win.
The biggest key for the Chargers is winning the turnover battle. The Bolts have been elite at taking care of the football, one of the only teams to ever turn the ball over as little as they have at this point in the season. What usually costs them these games against their division rival is a late turnover.
If they can stop that from happening or even be on the receiving end of that loose ball, they would be in a great spot to advance to 9-3 That said, the Chiefs would like a word about that, as they always do. Chargers, Chiefs, and NFL fans will be in for a fun one to finish Sunday’s football action.