Tag: Chargers vs. Chiefs prediction

Keys to a Chargers’ victory over Chiefs and a prediction

Highlighting what the Los Angeles Chargers must do in order to capture a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

On Thursday evening, the Chargers are set to face off against the Chiefs, looking to sit atop the AFC West again and be able to control their destiny the rest of the way out.

There are a few key things that Los Angeles will need to do to secure a victory.

Against the Chiefs, the best defense is offense, which means the Chargers will have to score early and often, and they can’t afford to trade touchdowns for field goals.

It all starts up front where the offensive line, without rookie sensation Rashawn Slater, must minimize Kansas City’s pass-rush. 

While not an ideal scenario, Los Angeles can mask his absence and make life simpler for Slater’s fill-in, Trey Pipkins, with RPOs, extra blockers, moving the pocket, and quick passes.

Furthermore, the Bolts need to establish early-down efficiency and tempo to wear down the Chiefs.

The other side of the ball starts with containing Patrick Mahomes in the pocket because on top of being an assassin with his arm, he can be just as effective with his legs.

Therefore, the interior needs to get some push and control its gaps, while the edge defenders must generate some pressure without working too far up the field to avoid leaving clear lanes for him.

Next up is preventing explosive pass plays. In conjunction with the guys in the trenches are those in the secondary. Key pieces, Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr., are game-time decisions.

If they’re active, their presences are crucial, considering when they played earlier this season in Week 3, the Chargers held Mahomes to 5.9 pass yards per attempt.

If Samuel can’t go, Michael Davis needs to replicate his best performance last weekend. Tevaughn Campbell needs to step up opposite Davis. Chris Harris Jr. will need to keep up with the speed of Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman. And, the safeties can’t let anything get behind them.

Finally, winning the turnover battle is critical. In Week 3, Los Angeles produced four takeaways.

Prediction

This game is one of the most pivotal for both teams, as the battle for possession of first place in the AFC West is on the line. The Chargers and Chiefs are playing great football, which is why you should anticipate this being a close game. However, Primetime Herbert is undefeated, and I expect that not to change. Los Angeles wins in a high-scoring affair.

Chargers 30, Chiefs 27.

‘The Office’ actor Brian Baumgartner makes prediction for Chargers vs. Chiefs

“Kevin” from The Office made his Chargers vs. Chiefs prediction on Good Morning Football.

Most of you may know him as “Kevin” from the popular television show, The Office, while others just know him as Brian Baumgartner.

Baumgartner was featured on NFL Media’s Good Morning Football to preview the highly-anticipated Thursday night matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs.

A fan of the Packers, Baumgartner gave his unbiased opinion. He favors Los Angeles over Kansas City, with the high-powered offense being the primary reason he believes the Bolts win.

Here is what he had to say:

When you talk about their [the Chiefs] defense – 10.8 points [allowed per game] over the last six weeks, let us remind ourselves that they played the [Las Vegas] Raiders twice, they played the Packers with Jordan Love and they played the [New York] Giants.

Meanwhile, the Chargers have been putting up the last six games, 32 points per game. They laid 30 on them in Week 3. I think [Justin] Herbert and [Austin] Ekeler – hopefully Ekler, I was not fully aware about his ankle – hopefully he’s fine.

They have just been so explosive. It reminds me of another team in the NFC that has that powerful running game to go with a strong-armed quarterback that can make any kind of throw. I like the Chargers to put it on the Chiefs this week at home and become legitimate contenders in the AFC. That’s my bold take.

This will be the most pivotal game for the Chargers this season, with significant implications on the line.

If the Chargers win, they will secure the season sweep over the Chiefs, sit atop the AFC West again, and have the ability to control their destiny with games against the Texans, Broncos, and Raiders remaining.

4 bold predictions for Chargers in Week 3 matchup vs. Chiefs

Laying out four bold predictions as the Los Angeles Chargers look to upset the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chargers are facing off against the Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 26.

In a divisional bout, there’s always bound to be some things that most people would not have seen coming.

With that being said, here are four bold predictions for Week 3’s matchup:

Jared Cook and Donald Parham have one touchdown apiece

The Chargers need to get the job done in the red zone if they want a shot at winning this game. Entering this game, the team is 3-of-10 inside of their opponent’s 20-yard line. However, I believe that will change facing a Chiefs team that’s near the bottom of the league in red zone defensive efficiency. Couple that with Kansas City allowing the second-most receiving yards to tight ends in the NFL through two weeks, and that leads me to believe that Cook and Parham will be finding the end zone on Sunday.

Austin Ekeler has over 150 yards from scrimmage

After a fairly quiet performance in the season opener, Ekeler had a productive outing against the Cowboys last Sunday, in which he secured all nine of his targets for 61 yards. Starting to be heavily involved in the offense, Ekeler is due for a monstrous game, and I believe that comes this weekend against a Chiefs’ defense that’s allowed 404 rushing yard and seven rushing scores, both league highs.

Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are held to less than 125 receiving yards combined

The Chargers offense should be able to thrive against a struggling Chiefs defense, but in order to come away victorious the team must slow down Kansas City’s explosive offense.

Fortunately, Los Angeles has the recipe to make it happen. Head coach Brandon Staley’s scheme is focused on overlapping coverages with two-high safeties and lighter boxes to limit big plays through the air, which he has plenty of success with, only allowing 177 yards per game.

In three matchups since 2018, Derwin James has allowed three receptions to Kelce for just eight yards as the primary coverage defender.

Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr. and Nasir Adderley all have what it takes to ensure Hill doesn’t go off, and history shows they’ve had their fair share of success against him.

Chargers beat the Chiefs

The Ravens showed the world that Kansas City is indeed beatable. It’s clear that the Chiefs’ defense is the weak link, as they’re last in the NFL in yards allowed (469.0 per game) and fifth-worst in points allowed (32.5 per game).

As for the Chargers, they’re boasting the fourth-best offense in terms of total yardage per game (416.0). While the team is still trying to figure it all out in the red zone, I believe this is the game they do so, like I mentioned in my first prediction.

The strength of Staley’s defensive philosophy limits quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company to 24 points, while Justin Herbert engineers three passing touchdowns and Tristan Vizcaino’s three field goals ultimately puts the Bolts on top.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Chiefs?

How NFL analysts are viewing the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Los Angeles Chargers are considered 6.5-point underdogs to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 of the 2021 season. The over/under is set to 54.5 points, per Tipico Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 54.5 points.

Our unofficial score prediction for the game is a 24-21 win for the Chiefs, with a combined total of 45 points. So if we were putting money behind our prediction, we’d bet the under.

As for game picks, analysts are favoring Kansas City.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chiefs
Mike Jones (USA Today) Chiefs
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chiefs
Sporting News Chiefs
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chiefs
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Chiefs
Gregg Rosenthal (NFL Media) Chiefs
Bleacher Report Chiefs

Sunday’s game will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

5 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 3 opponent: Chiefs

Highlighting important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent ahead of Week 3.

The Chargers are on the road to take on the Chiefs in the first division matchup of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 10:00 am PT.

Here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 3 bout:

Looking to avoid a losing record

The Chiefs are coming off of a shocking loss to the Ravens last Sunday night, a game in which they led by double digits in the fourth quarter and even had the ball on a game-winning drive. Instead, a fumble by running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire turned the tides, and quarterback Lamar Jackson’s touchdown put the game to bed. If Kansas City loses this weekend, they will be 1-2 and at the bottom of the barrel in the AFC West. Who could’ve seen this scenario?

Sizzling in September

Last Sunday’s loss marked the first one in Patrick Mahomes’ professional career in the month of September. Despite that, he is still managing to play his best football this time of the year. Here’s a look at Mahomes’ numbers in the month of September, dating back to his rookie season: 4,075 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, one interception and a completion percentage of 71.78.

Top targets

Mahomes’ favorite pass-catching options and ones who are prone to give opposing defenses the most problems, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, sit atop the statistical leaderboard at their perspective positions. Hill, the speedy wideout, has 14 receptions for 211 yards and a touchdown, while Kelce has 13 receptions, 175 yards and three touchdowns through two contests.

Rough run defense

If the Chargers want to establish a successful rushing attack, this is the game to do so. Entering Week 3, the Chiefs have the worst run defense in the league, as they’ve allowed 202 yards per game. Their woes could attribute to moving All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones from defensive tackle to edge defender.

Playmaker in the secondary is back

After missing the season opener because of COVID-19, safety Tyrann Mathieu made his presence felt in his 2021 season debut against the Ravens with six tackles, three passes defensed, two interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Mathieu will be integral to slowing the Chargers’ passing attack.

Chargers vs. Chiefs: NFL analysts make Week 17 predictions

Will the Chargers win their fourth-straight game?

The Los Angeles Chargers are considered 3.5-point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 of the 2020 regular season. The over/under is set at 43.5 points, per BetMGM.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 43.5 points.

My official score prediction for the game is a 27-24 win for the Chiefs, with a combined total of 51 points. So if I was putting money behind our prediction, we’d bet the over.

As for game picks, the majority of analysts are rolling with the Chargers, with a few picking the Chiefs.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Jones (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Dan Graziano (ESPN) Chiefs
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Chiefs
Frank Schwab (Yahoo Sports) Chargers
Bleacher Report Chargers

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on FOX.

Prediction for matchup between Chargers, Chiefs in Week 17

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez makes his prediction for the Week 17 matchup.

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1:25 p.m. PT at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chargers are looking to secure their fourth consecutive victory with the hopes of carrying momentum into next season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are using this game for backups to prove themselves to the coaching staff since the majority of their starters will be out.

Quarterback Justin Herbert will look to get revenge after giving he could the first time out. Herbert has thrown for 4,034 yards with 28 touchdowns, setting an NFL rookie record for TD passes in a season. He’s also set a rookie record with seven 300-yard passing games, and he needs 340 yards passing to break Andrew Luck’s rookie record of 4,374 yards.

On the other side, QB Chad Henne will make his first start since Week 2 of the 2014 season when he was with the Jaguars. Henne will be without key skill players like Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. However, he will likely benefit from coach Andy Reid calling the plays.

For Los Angeles, they want to snap a losing streak to Kansas City that’s currently at 10 games. Plus, some players and coaches, including Anthony Lynn, are looking to make a statement with their jobs on the line. For the Chiefs, they want to go 15-1 for the first time in franchise history.

Even though Kansas City will be resting their starters, it would be in typical L.A. fashion to lose this one due to poor game management, solidifying Lynn’s fate.

I expect Herbert to have a great game, not one where he surpasses Luck’s yardage record, but he will put up points. Kicker Harrison Butker hits the game-winning field goal to seal the deal.

I’ve got the Chiefs beating the Chargers by the score of 27-24.

Prediction poll for matchup between Chargers-Chiefs in Week 11

It’s time to cast your vote who you believe will win the Week 11 matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs.

The Los Angeles Chargers are playing host to the Kansas City Chiefs at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Monday night in a Week 11 matchup.

The Chargers were building some momentum heading into their last contest against the Oakland Raiders, but they ultimately fell short after some offensive inconsistencies, falling to 4-6.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs also dropped their last game to the Titans in a heartbreaking fashion when kicker Harrison Butker’s game-tying field goal was blocked as time expired. The loss put them at a 6-4 record.

Los Angeles needs to be on their A-game on all three levels, facing a Kansas City team that’s stacked in all departments, and it just so happens that they will be getting key players back from injuries.

Chargers Wire feels like it’s going to be a high-scoring affair. But quarterback Philip Rivers will bounce back from his woeful Week 10 performance, running back Melvin Gordon will run wild going up against one of the league’s worst rush defenses, and the Chargers defense will do enough to fend off QB Patrick Mahomes.

We see Los Angeles keeping their playoff hopes alive, winning by the score of 31-27.

With that, who do you think will win Monday’s contest?

Check out the poll and let us know what you think.

[polldaddy poll=10460939]

[lawrence-related id=30683,30665,30666,30658]