The Los Angeles Chargers enter Arrowhead Stadium attempting to hold off the Kansas City Chiefs’ crowning as AFC West division champions this season. Trent McDuffie’s defense is extra motivated for this Sunday’s game, trying to seal another division title, knowing that the Chargers will be led by their star quarterback, Justin Herbert.
“Yeah. I mean, we know he’s a big arm. You know, he’s definitely somebody (who) can make all the throws from weak side hash all the way out to the field on comebacks, things like that. But also, another thing he’s been starting to do is run the ball.” said McDuffie. “That’s something that watching this film, you kind of see and sense. When things aren’t there, he tucks and does a really good job on his feet, and in Week four, I think, he had an ankle injury that was kind of messed up, so he wasn’t running that much, and that kind of limited him.”
Herbert battled early-season injuries while leading the Chargers to an 8-4 record and tossing 13 touchdown passes with only one interception. He has shown flashes of scramble ability, averaging 4.2 yards per carry through 13 weeks.
“So coming into this week, there’s definitely more of a focus that, yeah, he can’t leave the pocket,” said McDuffie. “Yeah, we got to contain him, keep him in the pocket. We’ve got to get enough to know what kind of arm he is and what kind of quarterback he is. So going out there, like I said, playing our defense and making plays on the ball.”
McDuffie has continued to play with all-pro form this season, and he’s seen multiple cornerbacks opposite him on the field. The defense is still addressing Jaylen Watson’s absence due to injury.