LA Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs 9/26/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

The Los Angeles Chargers will face their tallest task yet when they go on the road to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City lost their first regular-season game in what feels like an eternity in an instant classic on Sunday night, losing 36-35 after a late fumble and dropped to 1-1 on the year. The Chargers opened the year with two NFC East foes, beating Washington, and fell on a last-second field-goal at home against Dallas.

The Chargers have a ton to be excited about in the future behind a great young quarterback in Justin Herbert. Herbert hasn’t been perfect this season but he has put his team in a place to win the game in both, he’s completing over 70% of his passes, is throwing for 337.5 yards per game, the issue has been with interceptions he’s thrown three interceptions (including one in the red zone) to just two touchdowns. 

Los Angeles has plenty of weapons for Herbert including two big-bodied wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Allen continues to be a reliable option catching 13 passes for 208 yards, but Mike Williams is off to a great start this year reeling in 15 balls for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Ekeler continues to lead the run game, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and a touchdown, as well as being involved in the pass game catching 9 passes for 61 yards through two games.

The Chargers defense has also looked to take a step forward this season, they dealt with injuries in key positions all year, and now that they’re healthy they look like they could be a top-10 unit in the NFL. Los Angeles is giving up 339 yards and 18 points per game, ranking seventh in scoring defense. The return of Derwin James is noticed, he’s second on the team in tackles with 15 through two games.

Kansas City’s offense is one of the best we’ve ever seen and outside of a fumble in the Ravens' territory, it was basically a perfect offensive performance. Patrick Mahomes continues to do Patrick Mahomes things, he’s completing 76.1% of his passes for 680 yards and six touchdowns to just one interception. Tyreek Hill was a nonfactor in the game against the Ravens but is still leading the team with 211 yards. Travis Kelce, also still the best tight end in football, catching three touchdowns through two games.

Kansas City’s defense has been exposed through the first two games, they are still unable to stop the run, and are allowing 202 rush yards per game through two games. Kansas City is last in the NFL in total defense allowing 469 yards per game, and bottom five in the NFL allowing 32.5 points per game. LA may not present the same rushing threat as Baltimore or Cleveland, but you can expect a heavy dose of Ekler on the ground and forcing the Chiefs to prove they can stop the run.