The Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) are about to take the national stage on Monday night.

Prior to the matchup, Chiefs Wire managing editor Charles Goldman spoke with us on Los Angeles’ opponent.

Here’s a look at five things to expect:

1. How do the Chargers slow down the big playmaking ability of Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman?

The Chargers should hope that somehow they don’t make it on the plane to Mexico City. Really, with the Chiefs offense, you have to decide which playmaker you’re going to try and take away. It was a tough choice last season when you had Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce to worry about. Now you’ve got Hardman in the mix, and don’t sleep on Demarcus Robinson because he might have some of the best chemistry with Mahomes of any of these receiving threats.

2. Will Patrick Mahomes’ knee be a concern for him, or is he back to full health?

Mahomes was pretty adamant this week that this is the healthiest he’s felt since Week 1 of the regular season. Remember, he also dealt with an ankle sprain earlier in the season before the kneecap dislocation. Both of those injuries shouldn’t be a problem for him moving forward or limit him from doing what he does. He had one of the best games of his career against the Titans in Week 10 despite the loss. I wouldn’t expect to see Andy Reid call a QB sneak with Mahomes anytime soon, though.

3. What area/position of the Chiefs could determine the outcome of this game?

The linebackers and the run defense. It’s been the most easily exploitable part of the Chiefs’ defense this season. They did sort of come alive a bit during the two weeks that Mahomes was out with injury. As recently as Week 10, they looked like the same unit that failed to impress early in the season. Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler are as talented a duo as they’ve faced in 2019. The Chargers could do some damage running the ball and motioning out wide, forcing man-coverage matchups against the Chiefs’ LB corps.

4. Who is an under-the-radar Chief that Chargers fans should know about?

Rookie defensive back Juan Thornhill is one that I’d pay attention to this week. He plays the deep safety role for the Chiefs and he’s been quietly impressive this season. He has really nice range from the centerfield spot. When he’s in a man coverage situation, he hasn’t given up much in terms of yardage per coverage snap. Given how much Philip Rivers likes to throw the deep ball, you might be hearing Thornhill’s name called quite a bit on Monday night.

5. Score predicition?

Ahead of the season, I had this game circled as one that I thought Kansas City could struggle in. I thought that Los Angeles wouldn’t be 4-6 right now. Historically, the big prime-time games haven’t been too kind to the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs. I’m feeling like things will be different this time around, though. This is shaping up to be the first time since Week 1 that the Chiefs have all of their starters on offense healthy across the board. If the Chiefs’ defense can manage to contain Ekeler and Gordon, that’d also boost their chances at a win. It’s easier said than done for Kansas City. They can’t seem to decide the type of team they want to be on defense. Chiefs 34, Chargers 20

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