The Chargers are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Chiefs are looking to get back on track after losing their last four of six games in Week 11 of the regular season.
With an enticing division battle set for Monday night, here are four Chiefs players that the Bolts have to game-plan for if they wish to come away with a victory.
QB Patrick Mahomes
It didn’t take long for Mahomes to establish himself as one of the best players in the league. After a season that resulted in winning the league’s most valuable player, he continues to take the league by storm. In eight games played, Mahomes has thrown for 2,628 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and only one interception.
The former Texas Tech product missed two games with a knee injury, but he quickly recovered and nearly put up a career-high game against the Titans, passing for 446 yards.
Mahomes can beat you in a multitude of ways, whether it be with his cannon of an arm or with his legs to evade the pocket. The Chargers will need to pressure him early and often, not only with defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but additional pass rushers off the edge to make him feel uncomfortable and to keep him off the field.
TE Travis Kelce
Like Mahomes, Kelce has established himself as one of the best players at his position in the NFL. He has caught 56 passes for 741 yards and three touchdowns, beating defenders with his big body to reel in the football and consistently move the chains.
Just a season ago, Los Angeles held Kelce to less than 100 yards in both games combined. A big reason for their success was safety Derwin James, who held him in check. Without him or Adrian Phillips, they will need safeties Jaylen Watkins and Roderic Teamer to contain him from going off.
WR Tyreek Hill
When you think of big plays, Hill has to instantly come to mind. Hill’s speed is a big reason why he is able to make those happen, along with his ability to track the deep passes from Mahomes and go up and reel in the football over bigger defenders.
On the season, Hill has amassed 33 receptions for 543 yards and five touchdowns. He has six or more receptions for more than 140 yards in the past two games.
Cornerback Casey Hayward will have his toughest matchup on Monday as he will be lined against the fastest one yet. Facing some of the league’s best wideouts, he has been stellar. Hayward is averaging just 1.7 receptions, 21.7 yards and 0.1 touchdowns allowed per game this season.
Free safety Rayshawn Jenkins will have a big role to prevent him from taking the top of the defense, too.
DE Frank Clark
The Chargers could be without two of their starting offensive tackles — Russell Okung and Sam Tevi, and would be forced to start Trey Pipkins and Trent Scott. Just a week ago, the Raiders, who were had the lowest sack total, obliterated them for five sacks. The Chiefs lead the league with 52 this season.
Kansas City lost their best pass rusher, Emmanuel Ogbah to a torn pectoral muscle last week, but they have a reinforcement in Clark. Clark has three sacks in past two games. He has dealt with injury concerns, but he has still led all defensive ends on the team in snaps.
