Predictions for Chiefs vs. Chargers, Week 15
Are you ready for another week of Kansas City Chiefs football, Chiefs Kingdom?
Just as we have over the past five seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Below you’ll find all of our picks for Kansas City’s Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7:20 p.m. CT at SoFi Stadium.
Charles Goldman’s pick:
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The Chiefs won’t be without their challenges this week given the absences they’ll face on defense, but they’ve also added some players on that side of the ball since that Week 3 matchup with the Chargers. Charvarius Ward was absent. Frank Clark was absent. Melvin Ingram was playing in Pittsburgh. Juan Thornhill played just 19 snaps on defense in that game. I feel confident in saying that Kansas City is in a better situation defensively than they were in the first matchup.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Chiefs are more prepared than ever to combat that Cover 2 shell that has given them trouble this season. The running game is clicking as is the offensive line. Patrick Mahomes is more comfortable than he was earlier in the season when his defense was giving up a gazillion points per game.
Make no mistake, this is going to be a tough game for Kansas City. However, if they do come away with a win, they’re not only putting themselves in a position to win the AFC West, they’re also proving that they’re still the team to beat in the AFC conference.
Chiefs win 31-23
Wesley Roesch's pick:
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
After three straight weeks of allowing nine points per game, I think the Chiefs’ defense will unravel just a tad compared to recent weeks. Why? Because this Chargers offense is way more talented than any of the offenses Kansas City has faced over the past six weeks (yes, that includes the Packers, who had Jordan Love at quarterback against the Chiefs).
The combination of Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will make things more challenging for the Chiefs defense, which is playing on a short week. It’ll be even tougher for K.C. if defensive lineman Chris Jones doesn’t play.
However, I do expect the Chiefs offense to balance things out. The offense looked tremendous against the Raiders and seems to be hitting its stride. The Chargers have allowed 27 points per game over the last four weeks, too. Combine that with the fact that Patrick Mahomes somehow plays better on the road (15:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the road vs. 12:7 at home), and I think you have a recipe for a close game with more scoring by both offenses.
Much like the first matchup between these two in Week 3, I see this one being close. However, with the Chiefs making fewer mistakes and forcing a three-turnover-per-game average over the last five weeks, I think K.C. comes out on top.
Chiefs win 31-27
Ed Easton Jr.'s pick:
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Another week, another AFC West rival for the Kansas City Chiefs to face on their road to the postseason. The best part of this week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers is a chance to avenge their loss in Week 3 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The defense will face a red-hot Justin Herbert who continues to prove that he’s not a one-year wonder. Expect the Chiefs’ offense to lead the charge Thursday night with exceptional play from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. After last Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the latter seeks better performance under the lights on a national stage. The Chiefs’ defensive line will continue to pressure Herbert as the battle at the line of scrimmage could determine the outcome of this game. In a close matchup that I see ending with a Harrison Butker field goal.
Chiefs win 35-32
John Dillon's pick:
AP Photo/Peter Joneleit
These teams match up great on paper until you get to the quarterbacks, where Kansas City has a clear advantage. Though Los Angeles has a capable and promising young signal-caller in Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes should prove to be the factor that put Kansas City over the top in this clash of AFC West rivals. Everything else seems pretty much equal, though, and if the Chiefs don’t have a winning game plan against Los Angeles with the short turnaround from their last game, they could be in deep trouble.
I don’t think they’ll lay an egg, though, and will take Kansas City in a fourth-quarter barnburner that is in question until about seven minutes remaining in the game. Watch for a breakout game from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and for the Chiefs defense to be particularly resilient despite missing some key pieces due to COVID-19 protocols.
Chiefs win 35-24
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