Tag: Chargers vs. Chiefs

Chargers players not fond of practicing in Colorado

Some of the Chargers players aren’t happy with practicing in Colorado for a few days prior to the matchup against the Chiefs.

The Chargers’ home for the next few days will be at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in preparation for Monday night’s game against the Chiefs in Mexico City.

Coach Anthony Lynn moved the team from California to Colorado because he wants to get the players acclimated to the altitude they will be playing in Mexico City, which is about 7,300 feet above sea level.

Lynn has his purpose for having the Bolts practice in Colorado for a few days, saying that even though science suggests it could take seven or eight days to acclimate to it, as a former player it pays dividends.

But some of the players aren’t too thrilled with it.

Running back Austin Ekeler, grew up in Colorado, doesn’t mind practicing there because he’s used to it, but he elaborated that it’s a different story for his teammates, saying that some of them would’ve rather practiced in Costa Mesa, CO.

“I think there’s a lot of mixed feelings about us coming here. Me personally, I kinda like the change-up. I’m probably a little biased, obviously, because I’m from here. I was looking forward to being back in Colorado for a week, but I know some people disagree with that. They would rather have it at our own facility, back in our regular routine,” Ekeler said.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen went to his personal Twitter account to express some frustration. It’s all not certain what it’s about, but based on the day, it seems like he’s talking about being in Colorado.

“I hate everything about this,” Allen tweeted on Tuesday.

Defensive end Joey Bosa made it seem like he didn’t care the team was in Colorado, but would’ve rather stayed home in California and practice if he had the choice.

“You notice a difference out there a little bit with breathing. I don’t know if a few practices is enough to get acclimated to it. But, we’re here. We’ll make the most of it.”

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4 key things to know about Chargers vs. Chiefs

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out the four most important things to know about the matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) clash in Mexico City on Monday night.

Here are four key things to know about the Week 11 matchup.

Patrick Mahomes is back

After a knee injury sustained in Week 7, it only took Mahomes two weeks to return to live game action. In his return last weekend against the Titans, he managed to put up what would be a typical performance, throwing for 446 passing yards, which was the second-highest passing yardage total of his career. This season, he has amassed 2,686 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and only one interception.

Pressure, pressure, pressure

After making a few key signings to the defensive front, the ability to get after the quarterback skyrocketed for the Chiefs. Through 10 games, Kansas City leads the league in sacks (52). The team suffered a huge loss after defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah suffered a torn pectoral muscle last Sunday. Ogbah led the team with 5.5 sacks. They still have pieces up front that won’t make it an easy task for the Chargers offensive line.

Can’t stop the run

While the Chiefs have a knack for pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they struggle to stop the run immensely. Kansas City ranks as the second-worst team in the league, allowing 148.1 yards per game. For the Chargers, having success running the ball with running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler will be key in order to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field.

Not the same Chiefs everyone is used to

The Chiefs were a trendy pick to reach the Super Bowl, but their play hasn’t suggested that. After starting 4-0, they have lost four of their last six games. Even with Mahomes back last weekend, who was nearly flawless, they still lost. Their offense will put up a plethora of points, but their opponent has been able to match it because the defensive has allowed so many big plays. On top of that, the pass protection has been on a downward spiral. Kansas City allowed only three sacks in the first four games, but they’ve allowed 15 in the last six contests.

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Chargers’ Derwin James, Adrian Phillips working off to side at practice

Chargers safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips are eligible to get lifted off the injured reserve.

Chargers safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips are now able to come off the injured reserve, but it doesn’t appear that’ll be this week. Despite them not being ready for the Monday night bout against the Chiefs, the two are getting work in to possibly return after the bye week.

According to the Athletic’s Daniel Popper, James and Phillips were on the field doing some agility and speed work, while the rest of the team held their normal practice at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.

James has been running pain-free as he recovers from summer foot surgery. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he is poised to return to the lineup when the Chargers take on the Broncos in Week 13.

Meanwhile, Phillips has been moving around since fracturing his forearm earlier this season. He recently had a cast on his arm and coach Anthony Lynn said once he got the cast off then the team would see where he’s at.

If Los Angeles is able to take care of business against the Chiefs, James and Phillips’ services will be needed to help them go on a winning streak en route to the playoffs. If they lose, it might make more sense to let them rest the remainder of the season instead of risking another injury.

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Chargers’ Russell Okung out of practice while rehabbing groin strain

Chargers offensive tackle Russell Okung did not practice on Tuesday and his status for Week 11 is questionable.

Following Thursday night’s game, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said that offensive tackle Russell Okung’s status for the Monday night game against the Chiefs would be up in the air. Fast forward five days later, and it appears to be the same way.

Okung left the Week 10 matchup against the Raiders after only playing seven snaps with a groin injury and did not return to the game.

“He’s rehabbing. He’s working on the side. We’ll see where he’s at. .I’d love to see him play, but if he can’t go, he won’t go,” Lynn said, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

If Okung is forced to miss Week 11, rookie Trey Pipkins will get the start at left tackle, while Trent Scott will fill in at right tackle for Sam Tevi, who underwent a minor surgery on his meniscus last Friday and could miss a couple weeks.

Pipkins and Scott will get a full week to prepare before facing a Chiefs front that leads the league in sacks (52).

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Chargers open up as 4.5-point underdogs to Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers have opened up as home underdogs to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) opened up as 4.5-point underdogs to the Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) heading into their Week 11 matchup.

The Chargers are coming off a loss to the Oakland Raiders (5-4), which was a result of a poor offensive output and lack of execution when the game was on the line.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs also lost their Week 10 bout. After the Tennessee Titans clawed their way back into the contest to take the lead, Kansas City was relying on kicker Harrison Butker to tie up the game and send it to overtime. Unfortunately, his 52-yard field goal was blocked as time expired.

Los Angeles needs to win this game in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Kansas City is hoping to dig themselves out of a slump after dropping their last four out of six games.

Monday’s matchup will be played in Mexico City and will begin at 5:15 p.m. PT.

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Chargers travel to Colorado to prepare for Mexico City battle with Chiefs

After having the weekend off, the Chargers are hitting the road to prepare for next Monday’s matchup against the Chiefs in Mexico City.

After having the weekend off, the Chargers are hitting the road to prepare for next Monday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico City.

The Bolts are traveling to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a week of practice ahead of the division battle, yet another must-win game in order to stay alive in the playoff race.

The team will have four practices at Air Force Academy in order to acclimate to Mexico City’s altitude. They will be at 6,000 feet above sea level for a few days before being tasked with playing at about 7,200 feet above sea level.

The Chargers don’t do anything like this to get ready for the Denver Broncos, whom they play annually a mile above sea level. But this will be a good trip for L.A. to get away, spend more time together and regroup after a slew of games that got away from them throughout the course of the season.

Sitting at 4-6, Los Angeles will need to be at their best in the final stretch of the season in order to make the playoffs. Realistically, they can’t lose a single game. If they are able to win out, the team would likely capture the AFC West title for the first time since 2009.

It all starts next week against the Chiefs, who have dropped the last four of their six games. Despite the struggles, the Chiefs are still a loaded team on both sides of the ball led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Monday night’s kickoff against Kansas City is slated for 5:15 p.m. PT and will be televised on ESPN.

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