Kansas City Chiefs Travel to LA For First Divisional Matchup

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to Los Angeles for their first AFC West divisional game of the 2024 season. They will face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium this Sunday, September 29, at 4:25 p.m. EDT. This is the Chiefs’ second afternoon game of the season and will be broadcast on CBS.

Coming off a 3-0 start, the Chiefs are riding high with momentum, but division rivalries are never easy. The Chargers, currently sitting at 2-1, will look to bounce back after a tough loss last week. Both teams are seeking crucial wins as they battle for early-season dominance in the AFC West.

With first-year Head Coach Jim Harbaugh facing off against Andy Reid expect a game of opposing ideologies. Both head coaches respect each other on and off the field but be prepared for both teams to fall back on what has gotten them here up to this point, and look to secure this win over a divisional opponent.

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Game/Team Matchup Info

The Chiefs come into this game with a 3-0 record, aiming to maintain their lead in the AFC West. Meanwhile, the Chargers are 2-1, seeking redemption after a 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Both teams are known for their offensive firepower, but the Chiefs have had the upper hand in recent meetings, including a five-game winning streak against the Chargers.

Kansas City leads the all-time series 69-57-1, with Patrick Mahomes currently holding a 3-0 record at SoFi Stadium. In those games, Mahomes has thrown for 1,041 yards with eight touchdowns and just one interception. However, these games have often come down to the wire, with seven of the last ten meetings between Mahomes and Justin Herbert decided by a touchdown or less. According to ESPN, the Chiefs are favored by 7 points, and the over/under is set at 39.5 points. While Kansas City is the favorite, recent matchups between these teams suggest another close contest could be on the horizon.

Chiefs' Offense Rebounds

Kansas City’s offense, while effective, has yet to fully hit its stride this season. Patrick Mahomes has led his team to a perfect record, but much of the focus has been on the lack of big plays from star Tight End Travis Kelce. So far, Kelce has caught just eight passes for 69 yards, a stark contrast to his usual dominance. Defenses have heavily focused on shutting him down, but this has opened opportunities for other players.

One of those players is Wide Receiver Rashee Rice, who has stepped up in Kelce's absence. Rice had a career-best game last week with 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. If Kelce continues to draw heavy coverage, expect Rice and other receivers like Xavier Worthy to play key roles against a Chargers defense ranked sixth in the NFL.

The Chiefs' offensive line has also been a strong point, allowing Mahomes time to make plays and opening lanes for Running Backs Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. Steele has done a respectable job as RB1, and now with Kareem Hunt back in the fold, Kansas City's offense will be more balanced against Los Angeles.

Chargers' Rushing Attack Looks To Lead

The Chargers’ offense has been inconsistent, but their rushing attack has been a strength. Ranked seventh in the league in rushing, Los Angeles will look to exploit Kansas City’s 13th-ranked rush defense. Running Back J.K. Dobbins remains the focal point of the Chargers’ offense, and his ability to make plays both on the ground and as a receiver will be crucial in keeping the game close.

Los Angeles' offensive line is dealing with significant injuries, with both starting tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, battling ailments. Backup linemen like Jamaree Salyer and Brenden Jaimes may be called upon to protect Justin Herbert, who is also playing through an ankle sprain. Despite these challenges, the Chargers need their run game to thrive if they hope to compete with Kansas City.

Additionally, Los Angeles will be without key defensive players, including Safety Derwin James Jr., who is serving a suspension, and Defensive End Joey Bosa, who is questionable with a hip injury. These absences may force the Chargers to lean even more heavily on their ground game to keep Mahomes and the Chiefs offense off the field.

Players To Watch For Kansas City

Offensively, the player to watch for the Chiefs this week will be Kelce. The soon-to-be 35-year-old tight end hasn’t been as productive this season, but Head Coach Andy Reid and Mahomes believe defenses are simply paying more attention to him. With the Chargers' banged-up defense, the Chiefs will likely try to get Kelce involved early and often to jumpstart his season. Kelce has yet to record a 35+ receiving yard game or score a touchdown this season, so look for him to be a focal point of the offense.

On the defensive side, Tershawn Wharton is a player to watch. The defensive tackle has quietly become an essential part of Kansas City's defense, excelling in both pass rush and run defense. Wharton is tied for the most solo tackles among defensive linemen with four and leads the group with eight total tackles, including a forced fumble. Although he has yet to record a sack this season, Wharton has been impactful and should have opportunities against a Chargers' offensive line dealing with injuries.

Players To Watch For Los Angeles

For the Chargers, Quentin Johnston is the offensive player to keep an eye on. The second-year wideout, drafted 21st overall, struggled as a rookie but is stepping into a larger role this season. Johnston has already been productive, with three touchdowns and a high catch rate. He'll be a vital part of the Chargers' game plan as they try to pull off the upset against Kansas City.

On defense, Bosa's status is uncertain due to injury. If he plays, he remains one of the top defensive threats the Chiefs will need to account for. If Bosa is unable to suit up, Khalil Mack will be the next key player for the Chargers. Both Bosa and Mack are disruptive forces, and whether one or both of them are available, they will be a major focus for Kansas City's offensive game plan.

Final Thoughts

This game is shaping up to be another classic AFC West battle, with both teams bringing unique strengths to the table. The Chiefs, riding a 3-0 record, have the edge, but divisional matchups are always unpredictable. Mahomes will need to find a way to return to his usual form, while the defense must focus on containing the Chargers' rushing attack.

For the Chargers, their success will largely depend on how well they handle the Chiefs’ explosive offense and protect Justin Herbert. With key injuries on both sides of the ball, Los Angeles will need to play mistake-free football to come out with a win. Kansas City is the clear favorite, but expect a tight, hard-fought game that could go down to the final drive, as is often the case in Chiefs games, so far this season.

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Article originally written by Jason Dayee