The Los Angeles Chargers are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs, but they will both be on the road in Week 11 for a primetime bout at Estadio Azteca on Monday night.
The Bolts are currently listed as underdogs, and there’s a reason for that. But while all signs are in the Chiefs’ favor, the NFL is always unpredictable and anything can happen. With that, there’s plenty of reasons for concern facing a tough Kansas City team, but there are reasons for optimism, too.
So, what should fans of the Chargers be optimistic and concerned about going into the Monday night matchup?
Reason for optimism
Chiefs defense isn’t really anything to boast about
Kansas City wins the majority of their games with their lethal offense. But on the other side of the ball, there isn’t that much about their defense that gives any reason to be worried about.
Entering Week 11, they’re allowing 369.5 yards per game, 5.6 yards per play, 148.1 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry, all of which ranks near the bottom in the NFL.
All of this is the recipe for running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler having huge performances. As for quarterback Philip Rivers, I expect him to bounce back against a secondary that has no interceptions and has allowed eight touchdown passes since Week 7.
Reason for concern
Explosive offense
The Chargers were unable to avoid the heart and soul of the Chiefs offense, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes only missed two games with a dislocated kneecap. Mahomes wasted no time getting back to his usual ways last weekend, throwing for 446 yards and three touchdowns.
Los Angeles has faced wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and tight end Travis Kelce before, but Kansas City added two more weapons for Mahomes in wideouts Demarcus Robinson and rookie Mecole Hardman.
While the Chargers pass defense ranks No. 5 in the NFL, allowing only 207 yards per game, they rank 31st in completion percentage (71.7), 25th in opposing passer rating (100.5) and 25th in yards per attempt (7.8).
Cornerback Casey Hayward has hung with the best wide receivers in the league, but he won’t be able to cover all of the Chiefs’ speed demons at one time, posing some real concern for the secondary.
Reason for optimism
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram
If you’ve got a good pass rush, then you’ll get good coverage. That’s exactly what Bosa and Ingram bring to the table, who have combined for seven sacks the past three games.
The Chiefs offensive line was hampered by injuries, but they should benefit from getting tackles Eric Fisher and Laurent Duvernary-Tardiff back this week. But Bosa and Ingram have still flourished against some of the league’s best this season.
If the dynamic duo can contain Mahomes and make him feel the heat, he won’t have much time to get the ball off to one of his playmakers. And, it’s unlikely that he will elect to scramble when being pressured, still being cautious of his knee.
Reason for concern
Keeping Philip Rivers upright
The Chargers will have the starting offensive line that gave up five sacks to the Raiders a week ago. Trey Pipkins will start at left tackle for Russell Okung, who is nursing a groin injury. Trent Scott will fill in for Sam Tevi, who is dealing with a knee injury.
One of the reasons why Los Angeles failed to get any offensive production against Oakland was their inability to give Rivers time to distribute the ball, as he was hit 10 total times.
The Chiefs currently rank first in the NFL in sacks (30). Kansas City will be without their best pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah, but they still boast a talented front, led by Frank Clark and Chris Jones.
If Rivers isn’t given much time to throw, it could be a long day for the Chargers offense.
Reason for optimism
Playing up to their opponent
The Chargers are a frustrating team because they are notorious for winning games that they’re projected to lose and will let contests slip away in which they’re expected to win.
Just a couple weeks ago, they took care of business against one of the NFC’s best in the Green Bay Packers, knocking them off with ease. This is no different as they’re about to go toe to toe with a division rival, who’s predicted to win.
With a lot to stake in terms of the playoffs, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Los Angeles look like a more superior team than they’re 4-6 record indicates and come away with a victory, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
