AFC Game Of The Week
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Chargers: Entering week 1, they faced a test with a newly revamped offense and they had revenge on the mind. Remember the week 18 game last season between the two teams? It was a dogfight and the Chargers would end up being eliminated from play contention courtesy of the Raiders. On Sunday, they played in a tight battle and came away with the win. The offense did what was expected of them. Justin Herbert has become one of the ten best quarterbacks in the league. He has the strong arm and command of the offense that really impress me. To many, the Chargers had the best off-season of any other team in the league and I can’t disagree with that. They added J.C. Jackson and traded for Khalil Mack who saved the day on Sunday with a sack of his former teammate, Derek Carr. Not only have many considered them to be the favorites to win the AFC West, some also have them going as far as representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. I just hope Brandon Staley has learned from his rookie mistakes last year because he put his team in situations that ultimately cost them football games. Tonight, they will kick off week two with a showdown at Arrowhead.
Chiefs: They’ve heard the noise all year. “Everyone in your division is coming for you”, the AFC isn’t your conference anymore and the quarterback will have a down year without Tyreek Hill on the field. This is the same team that’s won this division 6 years in a row and has played in the last 4 AFC Championship Games. The worst thing you can do is give a team like this bulletin board material. Newsflash! Patrick Mahomes is still that dude, plain and simple. He picked apart that Arizona Cardinals offense on Sunday and the offense didn’t miss a beat. The theme I’ve been using to describe the Kansas City Chiefs leading up to the season is unpredictability, let me explain. When Tyreek was still playing for the Chiefs, you automatically knew the football was going in his direction or Travis Kelce’s way. Now, Kelce is still there and will be the first read for Patrick, but after that, who do you circle in on as a defense? Is it Mecole Hardman? Or, Marquez Valdes-Scantling? Could it be the rookie, Skyy Moore? I have a feeling they will keep defenses guessing weekly. This defense has speed and I can’t wait to see what Steve Spagnuolo does with this unit. They have their home opener tonight.
Chargers X-Factor: Austin Ekeler– What’s the key to holding a prolific offense? Running the football! Controlling the clock and keeping them on the sideline. I sometimes feel Austin is a hidden piece of this LA offense. He can take the ball out of the backfield and can catch it on halfback screens. Austin will need to step it up for the offense, especially with Keenan Allen out with a hamstring injury.
Chiefs X-Factor: Nick Bolton– I like the energy he plays with. Nick is a tackling machine and that’s exactly what the Chiefs needed on their defense. He is so stout when it comes to stopping the run. I wouldn’t disagree with you if you said he was their best run defender. Nick plays downhill and is always looking to pursue the football. He’s that energy guy on the Chiefs defense.
Final Thoughts: This is a nice way to start week 2. When these two met last year, the Chargers beat Kansas City at Arrowhead, one of the toughest places to play. Months later in December last season, the Chiefs won a thriller at SoFi en route to another division title. This is why the Chargers revamped that defense! For a game of this magnitude. Trying to limit Travis Kelce will be a major key. I say that because when these two last played, he had a monster game and scored the game winning touchdown in overtime. I’m also watching the Chargers defensive front. Can they attack a Chiefs offensive line that didn’t allow a sack last week? Watch the Chiefs feed Clyde Edwards-Helaire early on to throw off the Chargers defense. I can guarantee the box won’t be loaded because they’ll be too focused trying to account for the quarterback. I see this being a close game throughout.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Chargers 24
