The Kansas City Chiefs need a bounce-back win after a disappointing loss to the Tennessee Titans last week.
Beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night will go a long way in the Chiefs’ quest for a fourth-straight AFC West division title. It would keep them undefeated within the division and give them a win over each AFC West team.
K.C. is nearing full health after suffering multiple key injuries throughout the season and has a chance to pull it all together to go on a late-season run. The Chargers, meanwhile, are in desperation mode to keep their postseason chances alive.
Let’s take a look at one player on each side of the ball who can help the Chiefs knock off L.A.
Offense: TE Travis Kelce
Kelce is making acase to be a first-team All-Pro for the third time. He leads all tight ends in receiving yards (741) and is tied for first in receptions (56). He needs just 23 more receiving yards this season to reach 450 receptions and 6,000 yards faster than any other tight end in NFL history.
The Chargers have had success against Kelce in the past, holding him to just one reception in two separate games. He will certainly be a focal point for the Chargers’ defense, but the Chiefs’ dynamic receiving corps should open things up for him. K.C. is 5-1 this season when Kelce catches at least six passes.
Defense: CB Charvarius Ward
Ward has settled in as the Chiefs’ best cornerback. He leads the team in both passes defended (6) and interceptions (2). He also leads all NFL CBs in tackles with 53. If he keeps it up, Ward could earn a Pro Bowl selection in his second season.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers leads the NFL in passing yards and attempts. He has a pair of talented receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, so Ward will have his work cut out for him. We have seen Ward lock down good receivers this season, like when he held the Minnesota Vikings’ Stefon Diggs to one catch for four yards in Week 9.
