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The Los Angeles Chargers head to Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night seeking revenge for a Week 1 loss to the Chiefs and also to stake their claim at the top of the AFC West.
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The Chargers have won nine of their last ten with that loss being a one point defeat to the Denver Broncos on November 18. Los Angeles currently has a stranglehold on the top wildcard spot in the AFC, but they have their eyes set higher as a victory would put them at 11-3, the same as the rival Chiefs. In recent years, the Chargers have struggled against the Chiefs, but the Chargers usually have not been as good as they are this year. Los Angeles will be -3.5 point underdogs in this huge Thursday night match up.
Rivers Needs Big Game
Phillip Rivers has struggled against the Chiefs. In the past five years, Rivers has thrown 14 interceptions against them with just 9 touchdown passes in that span. However, the Los Angeles quarterback had his best game against Kansas City in Week 1 of this season when he threw for 424 yards and 3 touchdowns. Much of that success can be attributed to the bad Kansas City defense, but Rivers never really slowed down after that as he is in the midst of his best season as a professional.
The biggest key for Rivers and the Chargers is not turning the ball over. The Chargers lost the turnover battle in Week 1 and despite out-gaining the Chiefs by almost 200 yards, lost the game. Rivers has shown a tendency to turn the ball over during his career, but he has been very good in that regard in 2018. Rivers must continue that trend and not give the high powered Chiefs offense good field position. With this game likely to devolve into a shootout, Rivers’ discipline will certainly be tested.
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Los Angeles Banged Up
The other key for Los Angeles is their health. First of all, the Chargers were without Joey Bosa in the Week 1 match up with the Chiefs, so it will be interesting to see how his presence on the field influences the Chiefs’ game plan. Second, the Chargers are in complete disarray at running back due to the injuries to Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. As of now, it is unclear whether Gordon will play, but Ekeler is not going to be active for the Chargers. Without Gordon, the Chargers will have to turn to rookies Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome.
Whoever lines up in the backfield with Rivers will need to be able to get chunk yardage on the ground and keep the ball out of Kansas City’s hands. More importantly, the rookie backs will have to be on point in the blitz pickup if this game turns into a track meet. Phillip Rivers cannot have Chiefs in his face all night because of inexperienced backs missing blitz assignments.
Mahomes Getting Center Stage
All the talk this year has been about Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers have largely gone under the radar. Thursday night, on national television, the Chargers will once again get the chance to make a statement against a top AFC team.
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