(Photo: SoFiStadium.com)
AFC Game Of The Week
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Chargers: That’s how you bounce back! After a tough loss a few weeks back against the Baltimore Ravens, they won a very important game to keep their playoff hopes alive. It’s always a challenge for a West Coast team to travel east and play in the 1:00 window. What set the tone for them was the defense and they have been one of the best in the league this year with a physical brand. In the last two games, they allowed over 20 points to both the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens in back-to-back games. On Sunday in Atlanta, they held a pretty good Falcons offense to 13 points and they also intercepted Kirk Cousins four times. You all should know the rule now, you won’t win football games if you turn the ball over, plain and simple. This is a different Chargers team now under Jim Harbaugh. They want to slow games down and violently attack the line of scrimmage each chance they can get. If they were to make the playoffs, they could be a team to avoid facing in the Wild Card round because the brand of football they play now will work for them in January, no matter where the game may be. You read this and you may say, “Well they do play in a dome and they’re in California also Christian” which is true, you are right, but when you are physical, it travels and that goes for any team in this league. Once again, the Harbaugh effect is real, and look at where they are now compared to any point if we’re being honest during the Brandon Staley effort. This Sunday night, they make their way to Kansas City for a big showdown in the division.
Chiefs: We could easily talk about them having at least three to four losses if we’re being honest. Yes, they are 11-1, yes, they’ve clinched another playoff spot and yes, they are closing in on their ninth consecutive AFC West division title, but let’s be blunt here for a second, the way they have played this year hasn’t been reflective upon their record at all. They have been so dominant in years past and would put teams away in the snap of a finger. This year, the opponent has been in every single game, even the teams they’ve played with a record below 500. After they lost to the Buffalo Bills, they played the Carolina Panthers, and even Carolina for as much as they have struggled over the years gave them a fight until the end. Even on Black Friday last week against the Las Vegas Raiders, again, Vegas was able to stick around with them until a costly fumble that would seal their fate. If I needed a word to describe the Kansas City Chiefs this year, it’d be survival. They’ve been great at surviving these games and that’s all I will leave it at. Do you all remember last year when I stated they didn’t scare me anymore as they have in the past? I said that because last December, they were struggling and appeared to be vulnerable in certain phases of the game. I won’t say anything like that this year because look what happened when I last said something along those lines. They go on the road, win two playoff games, and repeat as champions. The one thing I will say is I love how the defense can close games out. They have a primetime showdown with the Chargers on Sunday night.
Chargers X-Factor: Gus Edwards– This was such an underrated signing by L.A. in the off-season. I loved him with the Baltimore Ravens and he’s fit exactly what Jim wants to establish on his football teams. Let’s look back at what he did with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards in Ann Arbor. Now, he was doing the same thing with JK Dobbins and Gus, but unfortunately, JK got injured. Gus is a hard runner who can give you 1,00 percent every single play as he fights for his yards and never goes down easily. He’s a bruising back with nice breakaway speed. I see Gus presenting a challenge against this stingy Chiefs rushing defense.
Chiefs X-Factor: Isiah Pacheco– I’m so glad to see him back on the field as he has become a key piece of the puzzle for this Kansa City offense. Isiah provides balance and he helps move the line of scrimmage bringing that physical nature to this scheme as well. Isiah may not be one of the elite backs in the league, but he gets the job done and answers when his number is called. What’s always stood out about Isiah is how violent of a runner he is and even when he has space, he’s still running hard. Getting him back for the stretch run is crucial for this team.
Final Thoughts: These two met in week four in Inglewood and as I’ve said all year long, the Chiefs survived. This time, it was Chris Jones sealing the deal. All these weeks later, here we are for a primetime battle. In so many past matchups, this has always been a shootout, but this Sunday, I’m expecting a dogfight which is my favorite type of football game. The Chargers must come out and pressure Mahomes up the middle which will force the edge rushers to contain and keep him in the pocket. If you let him be magical and even if it’s just once, he will look to do that multiple times during the game. I’m keeping the spy in the middle and if you’re playing man coverage on this offense, you better be able to bring the pressure. This will be the best defense the Chiefs will have seen since Buffalo a few weeks ago as this Chargers’ defense is fast, physical, and aggressive. It’s key for the Chiefs to come with the fight because I know L.A. will. Both of these teams have thrived on winning ugly which means this comes down to who can execute that style of play in their favor more. The Chiefs’ last three victories have come by a combined seven points. I’m picking the Chargers to win this game on the road on Sunday night.
Prediction: Chargers 23, Chiefs 20
