After a wild game from start to finish in Atlanta, the Kansas City Chiefs will head back on the road for their first AFC West matchup this season. Their first stop is the Los Angeles Chargers, who have seen very mixed results this year in the first season with Jim Harbaugh as Head Coach.
While many might have thought the game against the Atlanta Falcons would have been an easy win for the Chiefs, both teams were in it until the very end. The Chargers are another team that many think the Chiefs will be able to easily beat, but their defense this year has been stellar. However, their offense, especially without Justin Herbert, has been less than impressive.
In the last three seasons, the Chiefs have gone 5-1 against the Chargers, and scored 159 points. In this contest, the Chiefs need to focus on getting the ball into the hands of the receivers more often without surrendering to the Chargers defense. Patrick Mahomes must be at his best to ensure the team can win.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, September 29
Start Time: 3:25 CT
Location: Inglewood, California
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
TV Info: CBS (Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call)
Chiefs Uniform Info: All White
Chargers 2024 Statistical Rankings
Points Per Game: 19.3 (17th)
Points Allowed Per Game: 11 (3rd)
Offensive Yards Per Game: 277.7 (25th)
Passing/Rushing Yards Per Game: 125.7 (31st) and 152 (7th)
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 267 (6th)
Passing/Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 175.3 (10th) and 91.7 (6th)
Third Down Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 38.1% (16th) and 32.5% (12th)
Red Zone Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 42.86% (24th) and 20% (2nd)
Penalties: 17 (20th)
Penalty Yardage: 134 (24th)
Players Already Ruled Out Before Sunday
Chargers: Rashawn Slater (T), Joey Bosa (OLB), Junior Colson (LB)
Chiefs: Mike Danna (DE)
Los Angeles Chargers
Defense
So far this season, the Chargers defense has completely surpassed any expectations that were placed on them. After a 2023 season that left Head Coach Brandon Staley on the outs, the Chargers have revamped their offense. Last season, they were ranked 20th in total defense. Yet this season, they're ranked sixth.
However, it seems like a lot of this might be because of who they have played during the first three weeks. Facing the Steelers, Panthers, and Raiders is not the same as facing the Chiefs and their potentially stacked offense. In the coming weeks, I would not be surprised if the Chargers defense faces some rough patches.
In this game, the defense needs to focus on interceptions. In the first few games, Mahomes has been throwing interceptions at a rapid rate. Since the Chargers' offense will not be strong enough to win the game on its own, the defense will have to take matters into its own hands and do as much damage as possible.
Offense
The Chargers' offense has been exciting, to say the least, throughout the first three games. They have dealt with many injuries on that side of the ball, including Herbert this week. Both starting tackles were out of practice the entire week, and Slater is confirmed to be out for the game.
Even with Herbert's talent, the Chargers aren't passing the ball, and when they do, they haven't succeeded. They have been relying on rushing this season, going from being ranked 24th to ninth in rushing attempts.
In this game, the offense must try and take advantage of the Chiefs' inability to stop teams before the red zone this season. If the Chargers cannot take advantage of this, their defense will have to dig themselves out of a lot of trouble against the defending champions.
Kansas City Chiefs
Defense
So far this season, the Chiefs have certainly shown that their defense can handle the pressure. Last week against the Falcons was no different. Even when the offense struggles to pressure the opposing team, the defense has always been able to keep them going.
The Chiefs' thin defensive end position will be tested on Sunday since Danna was ruled out. Throughout the week, Danna was spotted in practice, and many thought he could play. Head Coach Andy Reid gave insight on the injury, but it seems like keeping him out this week was just precautionary.
In this game, the defense must step it up against tight ends. Since the Chargers love to get their rushing attempts in, there is a chance that they will be able to get around the Chiefs' defense at some point during the game. If the Chiefs continue their impressive red zone defense that they have been practicing since Week 1, they should be able to help win the game.
Offense
The game in Atlanta was yet another game where the defense had to make up for the offensive woes. Fans saw the struggles that the 2023 offense had, and it is fair to make the assumption that this year's team might be just as bad or worse. Mahomes' struggles this season have been scary, especially since he now has five touchdowns and four interceptions. I do think this unit can turn it around down the line, and there isn't too much to worry about since the team is still undefeated.
So far this season, it is clear that Rashee Rice has overtaken Travis Kelce as the number 1 option in the offense. Rice has been the most impressive receiver on the team and only has room to improve as the season goes on. His ability to adapt to situations throughout the season is super helpful for a struggling Chiefs offense.
The offense needs to step it up in this game. Although the Chargers have an impressive defense, they should not compare to the defending Super Bowl Champions. As long as Mahomes can get the ball to Rice often, the Chiefs should be able to win regardless of the final score.
Betting Info
Points Spread: LA +7 (+100) | KC -7 (-120)
Moneyline: LA (+270) | KC (-340)
Over/Under: LA U 40 (-110) | KC O 40 (-110)
Lines via DraftKings as of Friday, September 27
Prediction
At the end of the day, the Chargers' offense will probably not line up well against the Chiefs' defense. If the offensive statistics were that bad with Herbert under center, they would be worse with Heinicke. While the Chiefs might not perform the best against the Chargers' defense, they will still find a way to win this game and head back home to face the New Orleans Saints undefeated.
Final Score: Chiefs 21, Chargers 14
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