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CHARGERS (8-4) at CHIEFS (11-1)
When: 5:20 p.m. Sunday
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
TV/Radio: KNBC (Ch. 4)/ 98.7 FM, 105.5 FM, 94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chiefs by 3.5
Notable injury designations
Chargers: DOUBTFUL: LB Denzel Perryman (groin). QUESTIONABLE: LB Junior Colson (ankle), S Tony Jefferson (hamstring), WR Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder).
Chiefs: QUESTIONABLE: WR Mecole Hardman (knee).
What’s at stake: A victory would move the Chargers one game closer to an AFC wild-card berth, their second playoff appearance in three seasons but only their fourth since the 2010 season. The Chiefs have already clinched a playoff berth, although they are not locked in as the No. 1-seeded team in the AFC.
Who’s better: Until someone steals their championship crown, there’s no one in the NFL better than the Chiefs, winners of the last two Super Bowls and three of the past five. Just look at the records this season. The Chiefs’ 11 victories in 12 games includes a win over the Chargers in Week 4. Overall, the Chiefs have defeated the Chargers in six consecutive games and 18 of 21. The Chargers last defeated Kansas City on Sept. 26, 2021, a 30-24 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Matchup to watch: Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. versus Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is always must-see TV. James was suspended for the first game between the teams this season for compiling too many personal foul penalties in too short of a span of time. Kelce and the Chiefs were trying to tweak their offense on the fly back in Week 4. Fans were deprived of the matchup and the teams at their best, as evidenced by Kansas City’s less-than-stellar 17-10 victory at SoFi Stadium. There should be no such concerns Sunday. James smiled broadly and rubbed his hands together when Kelce’s name was mentioned to him the other day. That should give you some idea of what the matchup means to him.
Chargers win if: It’s all got to go to perfection if the Chargers are to defeat the Chiefs and end their six-game losing streak to Kansas City. The Chargers must establish a reliable running game in order to keep the Chiefs guessing. Too often in these matchups in recent years, the Chiefs have trained their defensive focus on Justin Herbert and that was the case the last time the teams played. Herbert’s mobility was limited in the Sept. 29 game because of a sprained ankle suffered two weeks earlier. Plus, tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater sat out because of injuries. All three are sound for the rematch. Gus Edwards averaged more than five yards per attempt this past Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, his first game replacing injured running back J.K. Dobbins. Edwards carried the ball only six times, however.
Fantasy sleeper: Tight end Will Dissly was either well covered or overlooked during the Chargers’ 17-13 victory over the Falcons last Sunday. It’s possible both were true. Herbert burned the Falcons repeatedly with throws to wide-open rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, connecting nine times for 117 yards before McConkey was forced from the game because of a knee injury. Expect the Chiefs to focus on McConkey, leaving Dissly as a short-yardage option for Herbert.
Prediction: Playing flawless football is a tough ask for any team and the Chargers are no exception. The Chargers must build a multi-score lead and then play keep away so Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes can’t work his late-game magic, and that’s a tall order. Chiefs 24, Chargers 17.
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