It’s a meeting between the early AFC West haves and have nots as the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) travel to a makeshift soccer stadium to take on the Los Angeles Chargers (0-2).
The game will kick off at 4:25 p.m. EST and will be broadcast by the fine folks at CBS in your local area.
The Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (+3)
O/U: 47.5
The History
This is an old rivalry going all the way back to the first season of the AFL. The Chiefs and Chargers have played 114 games since 1960 and Kansas City holds a 58-55-1 advantage.
The longest Chiefs win streaks in the series got to six games and they’ve done it twice. First, from November, 1990 to November, 1992. The latest six gamer is current, beginning in November, 2013 and continuing through last season. If Kansas City wins Sunday, it’ll take over as the longest streak for either team in the rivalry.
The Chargers put together their own six game streak from November, 1979 to November, 1981 in the Don Coryell and Dan Fouts era.
The two teams have played in six overtime contests with a 3-3 record. They’ve met once in the playoffs with the Chargers winning 17-10 on January 2, 1993.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0)
The Chiefs had a serious battle on their hands last week, holding off a Philadelphia Eagles team coached by Andy Reid protege Doug Pederson. Alex Smith was still effective passing the ball, completing 21 of 28 for 251 yards and a touchdown and keeping Patrick Mahomes III on the bench this year (and maybe for years to come if Kansas City makes a Super Bowl run).
Kareem Hunt had a down game, only recording 16 touches for a combined 109 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie wall, already? Get that bum out of here.
Travis Kelce had the first of his probably eight or nine 100-yard game performances, catching eight passes for 103 yards and a score where he barreled through about three Philly defenders.
On defense, the Chiefs racked up six sacks and 10 tackles for a loss on Wentz. Philip Rivers has too quick a release for those kind of numbers to show up on the stat sheet this week, but Kansas City can disrupt a lot. And, frankly, the way Anthony Lynn wants to call a game, Rivers might not do any serious passing until the second half when his team is down by two touchdowns.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-2)
Every day since Anthony Lynn was hired as his new head coach, Rivers has to be kicking his own ass for staying with the Chargers. He could have gotten loose a few years ago, but decided to tough it out and signed a contract extension because he loved San Diego. Now the team isn’t even in San Diego anymore.
Rivers is one of the best quarterbacks in football and put up monster numbers last week. He was 31 of 39 passing for 331 yards and one touchdown, but the team still lost as Lynn never got his precious running game going. It won’t help that Melvin Gordon is questionable with a knee issue. I expect him to play, but a slowed down running game could be a blessing for Los Angeles. Throw the damn ball. You’ve got Philip Rivers at quarterback for God’s sake.
Defensively, they were only able to get to Jay Cutler twice and if they can’t put any heat on Alex Smith, he’ll pick them apart. Here’s a shocker, cornerback Jason Verrett is out with a knee injury as he always is, opening up some deep passing opportunities on his side.
The Pick
I like how Lynn seemed more willing to let offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and Rivers open up the offense last week, but I still don’t trust them. This Chiefs team seems on a mission and they might go farther this year than any writer, including me, expected back in August. Chiefs 31, Chargers 27
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 8-8
Season
Straight up: 21-10
Against the spread: 16-15
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