The Chargers are set to take on the Chiefs on Dec. 16 at 5:20 p.m. PT in hopes of securing the sweep and sitting atop the AFC West.
Here are six important things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 15 bout in primetime:
Red-hot
The Chiefs have found their stride after winning just three of their first seven games. After Sunday’s 48-9 win over the Raiders, Kansas City has won six straight games.
A big reason why…
The Chiefs have turned things around, primarily due to their defense. In their first eight games, they allowed 437.4 yards per game. Since Week 9, Kansas City has allowed just 9.6 points per game, which ranks second in the NFL. In addition, the team has done an excellent job of creating turnovers, posting 15 in their last five games.
Former Charger has made a difference
The Chiefs knew that their defense was an issue early on in the season, which is why they went out and brought in Melvin Ingram, who started the season with the Steelers. The move has paid dividends. The trio of Ingram, Chris Jones, and Frank Clark has been a terror in opposing backfields. In five games, Ingram has 14 pressures, ten hurries, four run stops, and two sacks.
Could be missing a key piece
The Chargers could catch a slight break, as Chris Jones was placed on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday. Arguably one of the Chiefs’ best defenders, Jones has seven sacks, six tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, and five pass breakups.
Checking in on Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes isn’t playing at the same caliber as he did in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He has accounted for 12 interceptions this season, tying the amount he threw in his rookie season. There are a few factors for his down year, less explosive plays, dropped passes, and defenses properly game-planning for him. Nonetheless, he had a reassuring performance last Sunday against the Raiders, finishing with 20 of 24 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions and averaging over 10 yards per attempt for the first time since Week 2.
What about his weapons?
Even the Chiefs’ offense isn’t as lethal as they were in the prior seasons, they still have the same skill players that need to be accounted for. Tyreek Hill recently set a new career-high in receptions (90) and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams have combined for over 800 yards rushing, while Williams is also a reliable receiver. Struggling recently, Travis Kelce still has 73 catches for 875 yards.