The Los Angeles Chargers (10-3) visit Arrowhead Stadium tonight to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (11-2) in a pivotal AFC West matchup that could decide the division title.
If the Chiefs win, they will officially be crowned division Champions. In fact, the Chiefs had never won back to back division titles until last year. They’re going for three in a row tonight against the Bolts.
On the other hand, if the Chargers win, they will be tied for the division lead with their rivals, but they will still be second based on their win-loss record within the division.
That would make the final two weeks of the season a very exciting race for the conference’s top seed between two of the strongest teams in the AFC.
The Chargers have won three games in a row, including last week’s 26-21 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have won their last two and six of their last seven.
Although wide receiver Tyreek Hill and running back Spencer Ware questionable for the game there are reports that Hill is going to play while Ware has been ruled out.
For the Chargers, Melvin Gordon was reported as questionable earlier in the week and is expected to miss his third game in a game row as his nursing an MCL injury.
Gordon’s absence represents a huge blow for the Chargers as they expected to have all their weapons ready to try and match the Chiefs score by score. Look for running back Justin Jackson to take his place in the starting lineup.
For the Chiefs Hill’s return is excellent news as he’s one of the catalysts in Kansas City’s offense. In fact, the Chargers, losers of nine in a row against the Chiefs, will need to keep Hill under check if they want to be able to limit K.C’s explosive plays in this game.
Of course, the biggest challenge for the Chargers defense to try to stop the Chiefs will be quarterback Patrick Mahomes. They need to find a way to keep Mahomes inside the pocket as he thrives at extending plays with his scrambling ability when the pocket collapses around him.
For the Chargers offensively look for Phillip Rivers to try to exploit the Chiefs pass defense, which is ranked dead last in the NFL allowing over 281 yards per game. On the ground, Jackson will try to make the most of his opportunity as he goes against the 25th ranked defense in the league.
Prediction: Chargers 21 – 28 Chiefs
