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Five Things to Watch on Sunday | Chiefs vs. Chargers
from
Chiefs.com
Here are some notes to know going into the gameSep 20, 2024 at 02:23 PM
Matt McMullen
Chiefs Reporter
The Kansas City Chiefs will look to stick in the win column this Sunday as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers in their first divisional matchup of the year.Here are five things to keep in mind heading into game day.
1. Here’s a look at the final injury report for both teams.
The only injury of note for Kansas City is defensive end Mike Danna, who won’t play on Sunday due to a calf injury.
Additionally, running back Kareem Hunt will be available on Sunday after signing with Kansas City last week. Hunt, who initially joined the practice squad on September 17, was elevated to the active roster earlier this week.
“I thought he had a good week of practice last week,” said Head Coach Andy Reid. “He took the majority of the scout team reps, and it looks like he’s in pretty good shape. Now, the next step is just getting him in the game. He’ll rotate in and we’ll see how he does.”
As for the Chargers, their injury report is significant. Offensively, Los Angeles will be without starting left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral) on Sunday, and starting right tackle Joe Alt (knee) is listed as “Questionable.” Quarterback Justin Herbert is also listed as “Questionable” as he continues to deal with an ankle injury. Herbert, who originally suffered an ankle sprain in Week 2, appeared to re-aggravate the injury last week and left the game early. So, even if Herbert plays, his status will be something to monitor throughout the game.
Defensively, Los Angeles will not have edge rusher Joey Bosa due to a hip injury. Bosa is among the best pass-rushers in the NFL, and his absence is a major blow to the Chargers’ pass-rush. The secondary will be missing a key piece, too, as safety Derwin James is suspended for Sunday’s game. Starting cornerbacks Kristian Fulton (knee) and Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) are also at risk of missing the game with “Questionable” designations heading into Sunday.
It’s a lengthy injury report, but regardless of some significant losses for the Chargers, the Chiefs’ preparation remained the same according to Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
“We’ll see who they put out there, but to us, it doesn’t matter,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re going to defend the scheme and try to play our best football.”
2. The Chargers have embraced a run-first identity on offense.
Los Angeles’ offense is coordinated by Greg Roman, who is best known as the architect of the high-powered running games deployed by the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14) and Baltimore Ravens (2019-22) in recent years. Roman is now in charge of Los Angeles’ offensive scheme, and his general philosophy has remained the same.
In fact, the Chargers have thrown the football at the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL through three games this season (44.5%). Additionally, Los Angeles has elected to run the ball on first down at the third-highest rate in the league (66.7%) behind only Green Bay (77.5%) and Pittsburgh (68.4%).
The scheme has mostly worked, too, behind the efforts of veteran tailback J.K. Dobbins, who currently ranks third in the NFL with 310 rushing yards. Dobbins, who is averaging a ridiculous 7.4 yards-per-carry on the year, was particularly effective through the Chargers’ first two games of the season. He topped at least 130 rushing yards in each, tallying multiple runs of double-digit yardage and at least four broken tackles in both contests.
Last week against Pittsburgh, however, was a different story. The Steelers held Dobbins to just 44 rushing yards on 15 attempts, and as a result, the Chargers’ offense failed to pick up a first down on five of their nine offensive possessions.
It’s all to say that containing Dobbins is one of the major keys for the Chiefs’ defense on Sunday, and fortunately, Kansas City has done an excellent job of limiting opposing running backs so far this season. Opposing tailbacks have combined to average just 3.3 yards-per-carry against Kansas City through three games, and looking at last week specifically, Falcons’ tailback Bijan Robinson averaged just 1.9 yards-per-carry on 16 attempts.
A similar effort on Sunday would go a long way toward another Kansas City victory.
3. Los Angeles owns the No. 3 scoring defense in the NFL.
The Chargers have allowed an average of just 11 points-per-game this year, which ranks third in the NFL. Los Angeles has also yielded the fewest red zone drives in the league (5) and the second-fewest first downs of any team (41).
Los Angeles’ top playmaker this year has unsurprisingly been edge rusher Khalil Mack, who leads the Chargers in pressures (9), quarterback hits (4) and sacks (2.5).
Kansas City didn’t yield a sack last week and moved the ball effectively, driving into Falcons’ territory on six of nine total possessions, but the primary reason the game came down to the wire was due to the Chiefs’ struggles in the red zone. Kansas City is just 4-for-9 in the red zone in terms of touchdown efficiency this year, so improving in that area will be a priority on Sunday and beyond.
6 Stats to Know – Week 4
Click Here to Watch4. Chiefs’ wide receiver Rashee Rice is off to a great start.
Through Week 3, Rice leads the NFL in receptions (24), yards after-the-catch (185) and broken tackles after-the-catch (8) while ranking second in receiving yards (288). For reference, at this point last year, Rice had only 10 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown.
He topped those numbers in just last Sunday’s game alone with 12 grabs for 110 yards and a score, and through three weeks, Rice is one of only three players (joining Nico Collins and CeeDee Lamb) to tally 100+ yards in multiple games so far.
“He’s just making plays,” said quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “I think you’ve seen that he’s been more versatile this year. He’s [had the opportunity] to run more and more routes. Then, the way he’s able to catch the ball and make stuff happen after the catch [is impressive]. He’s a hard guy to tackle. Being able to do both of those things [is important, and] I think it helps that the speed out there is kind of helping spread out the field for him. There’s a lot of attention on [tight end] Travis [Kelce, too], and when [Rice is] getting those one-on-one matchups, he’s winning, and that’s all you can ask for a guy. He seems like he’s getting better and better each and every week.”
5. Kansas City has been tremendous vs. divisional opponents in recent years.
It’s no secret that the Chiefs have dominated the AFC West over the last several years. Kansas City has won eight consecutive division titles, and in that time, the Chiefs are 41-7 vs. divisional opponents. Patrick Mahomes, specifically, is 30-5 against AFC West opponents in his career, which includes a 17-1 mark on the road.
That past success doesn’t guarantee anything for Sunday’s game, but it does demonstrate a clear pattern of preparation for divisional matchups. The Chiefs dedicate entire practices to AFC West opponents in the spring, and once again, they’ll have an opportunity to put that preparation to the test on Sunday as Kansas City takes on the Chargers in Los Angeles.
Tostitos Inside Scoop
from Chiefs.com
Click Here to WatchKingdom Conversation: Chiefs vs Chargers – Week 4 Preview & Predictions
Click Here to WatchGame Preview
from The Associated PressMahomes and Chiefs could be in for another close finish when they visit Chargers on Sunday
By AP
Updated Sep 26, 2024, 07:32 pmEL SEGUNDO, Calif. — — Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0, with each victory coming down to the final minute.
Based on recent history, Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers will likely produce a similar result.
Even though the Chiefs have a five-game winning streak against their AFC West rivals, seven of the 10 meetings between Mahomes and Chargers have been decided by a touchdown or less.
The Chiefs beat Baltimore and Cincinnati on the final play of each game. Last week, Nick Bolton stopped Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson on fourth down to wrap up a 22-17 win.
“Offensively, we have to help the defense out by running some of that time off the clock or scoring a touchdown to kind of put the game out of reach,” said Mahomes, who will make his 100th regular-season start on Sunday.
The last four Kansas City wins on the Chargers’ home field have been decided late, including overtime in 2020 and ’21. The Chiefs won last season’s Week 18 meeting 13-12 on Harrison Butker’s field goal with 48 seconds remaining.
Mahomes did not play in that game to prepare for the playoffs, while Chargers QB Justin Herbert was sidelined with a finger injury.
The Chargers (2-1) will try to bounce back after last week’s 20-10 loss at Pittsburgh. Herbert is dealing with a high left ankle sprain for the second straight week but is on track to play.
Herbert made his first NFL start against the Chiefs and is 2-5 against them.
The game also marks another chance for Jim Harbaugh to try and show that the Chargers are making strides in his first season.
If Los Angeles wants to contend in the AFC West, it must be better within the division. The Chargers were a division worst 23-43 from 2013 through ’23 against the Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs.
During that same span, Kansas City has won 17 of 22, sweeping the season series seven times. The Chargers have not swept the Chiefs since 2013.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity and we’re treating it as such,” Harbaugh said when asked if this game was a litmus test for his team.
Short-handed
The Chargers could be missing at least five starters, including both offensive tackles. Left tackle Rashaun Slater (pectoral) and right tackle Joe Alt (knee) were injured at Pittsburgh. Left guard Trey Pipkins, who moved to left tackle after Slater’s injury last week, is battling a foot issue and was limited in practice on Thursday.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman hopes Pipkins’ versatility in playing both guard and tackle can help plug holes. Jamaree Salyer and Brenden Jaimes are also expected to contribute.
“That’s why I think you got to move people around and practice,” Roman said. “Guys have different spots, and the more you can sustain that cohesive continuity, the better. But we all know it’s not always going to be that way. So, next man up.”
On defense, safety Derwin James Jr. will miss the game due to a suspension for repeated hits to defenseless receivers. Linebacker Joey Bosa has not practiced all week because of a nagging hip injury.
Defenses catching Kelce
Travis Kelce has been blanketed by opposing defenses this season, catching just eight passes for 69 yards. Some believe the soon-to-be 35-year-old Chiefs tight end has lost a step, but coach Andy Reid and Mahomes insist that defenses are simply paying more attention to him. That’s a big reason why wide receiver Rashee Rice has been so productive.
“He hasn’t lost his step and all those things,” Reid said. “People are making sure they have him taken care of.”
Hey, I know you
Kareem Hunt is expected to play for Kansas City for the first time since he was signed last week. He became a star for the Chiefs in 2018 before a video surfaced of him kicking a woman in a hotel hallway, leading to his release. Hunt then spent five years with Cleveland. The Chiefs signed him after putting Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a knee injury.
“Honestly, no, I didn’t think I’d end up back here,” Hunt said this week, “but it’s crazy how some things happen to work out.”
Road rules
The Chiefs have 10 straight victories against the Chargers as the road team, the longest active winning streak by a visiting squad and tied for fourth all-time.
Kansas City’s wins have occurred on four fields, including Mexico City in 2019 when the Chargers were the home team.
5 things to watch as the Chiefs play the Chargers in Week 4
from
ArrowheadPride.comIn Kansas City’s first divisional battle of the season, neither team will be playing at full strength.
By
Ron Kopp | Sep 20, 2024, 4:54pm CDTComing into the NFL’s Week 4, the (3-0) Kansas City Chiefs occupy first place in the AFC West. On Sunday, they’ll play the second-place team — the (2-1) Los Angeles Chargers — at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time.
While it’s Kansas City’s first divisional game of the 2024 season, it may not feel as intense as it should. The Chargers’ final injury report featured four cornerstone players:
Left tackle Rashawn Slater: Out
Edge rusher Joey Bosa: Out
Quarterback Justin Herbert: Questionable after being limited in this week’s practices with an ankle injury
Right tackle Joe Alt: Questionable after being held out of this week’s practices with a knee injuryIn addition, safety Derwin James was suspended for this week’s matchup after an unnecessary roughness penalty in last week’s game — the seventh of his career.
The Chiefs won’t be whole, either. Defensive end Mike Danna injured his calf in practice this week and won’t play. It will be the team’s second game without starting running back Isiah Pacheco — and wide receiver Hollywood Brown has missed all of this season’s games.
There is no injury report, however, that will stop new Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh from striving for an upset in his first shot at the Chiefs.
Here are five things to watch during the game:
1. Creating more explosive plays
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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesThe Chiefs’ offense has mostly succeeded at sustaining drives and staying ahead of the sticks this season. The unit has the league’s highest rushing success rate (56.5%) and has faced the fourth-fewest third downs.
But the offense has been clunky when finishing drives — whether that’s been from giving the ball away (the Chiefs have the fourth-highest rate of drives ending in turnovers) or stalling in the red zone: the team ranks 22nd in red-zone touchdowns.
The remedy is more explosive plays — on the ground and through the air. The backfield has only produced two rushes of 10 or more yards this season (both by Pacheco). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tied for the NFL’s lowest average depth of target (5.2 yards).
It’s on the scheme to help produce more big plays against a vulnerable defense — especially compared to the experienced, instinctive back ends Kansas City faced in the last two weeks.
2. Getting the Chargers to third-and-long
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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesIf it feels like the Chiefs’ pass rush has been quiet this season, it’s because it has had limited opportunities to pin their ears back and go after sacks. The defense has faced the seventh-fewest third-down pass plays this season. Four of the unit’s six sacks have come on third down.
That will start on first down and second down, when Los Angeles will be testing Kansas City’s run defense: the Chargers have the fourth-highest run rate (55.5%). Especially with potential injury absences, running back J.K. Dobbins will be heavily featured; he has the league’s third-most rushing yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
The Chiefs have had success slowing down the opponent’s primary ball carrier; they should feel comfortable committing to doing so in this game, too. If Kansas City can create more obvious passing downs, the team will have more chances to attack the Chargers’ wounded pass protection.
3. Challenging an experienced Atlanta secondary
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe first step will be forcing more passing downs. But then the Chiefs need to smother the Chargers in those situations, in which Kansas City should always have a strong advantage.
The injuries at offensive tackle will give pass rushers Chris Jones and George Karlaftis a chance to tee off from the edge, while Danna’s injury should allow second-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah to get an extended opportunity. Last Sunday, he earned the first full sack of his career — and forced a fumble in the process.
The pressure may be even more impactful if backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke plays — especially for the secondary. Heinicke has thrown 28 interceptions in 29 career starts. Chiefs’ cornerback Trent McDuffie is still looking for his first career pick.
4. Travis Kelce’s breakout game
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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesThe Chiefs’ pass rush should have a much more The Chiefs’ first three opponents deserve credit for formulating (and executing) sound plans to take tight end Travis Kelce out of the mix. But it doesn’t feel like the Chargers will have the coverage talent to continue that trend.
The injured unit will want to make Kansas City earn every downfield yard. That means its depleted safeties will be focused on keeping wide receiver Xavier Worthy from beating them deep — and containing wide receiver Rashee Rice after the catch.
So this feels like the game where Kelce takes advantage of James’ absence and returns to being Mahomes’ safety valve over the middle. The Los Angeles defense has allowed the fourth-most receptions to tight ends this season.
5. The return of Kareem Hunt
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Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesNearly six years since he last played for the Chiefs, it appears that Hunt will begin his journey to redemption on Sunday; he was signed to the 53-man roster this week.
He will be joined by running backs Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele in the backfield, giving the Chiefs a powerful trio of rushers. 87 of Steele’s 99 rushing yards this season have come after contact. Perine forced three missed tackles over nine touches in Week 3.
Last season, Hunt was used as a red-zone back for the Cleveland Browns. He scored a career-high nine touchdowns — all of them coming from inside the 20-yard line; six came in goal-to-go situations.
He also caught a touchdown pass in Cleveland’s playoff game. That’s an underrated part of what Hunt can bring to the table. It’ll be intriguing to watch him with the ball in his hands, whether it’s on a handoff or a dump-off to the flat.
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