Chiefs vs. Chargers: Picks and predictions
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers play on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium, and our staff predicts and picks the game.
Without any nonsense, here are the picks from yours truly and our great staff:
Matt Verderame: Chiefs 27, Chargers 16
Kansas City is the better team, and that should shine through. I won’t lie, having rooted for this franchise my entire life, there’s a part of me that expects a train wreck. Still, the offense is loaded with weapons and is facing a hideous defense. On the other side, Philip Rivers is a very good quarterback, but he doesn’t have a ton of help around him.
Nick Stavrakis: Chiefs 27, Chargers 23
Arrowhead historically gives Philip Rivers nightmares, but he is all too competitive to just lay down. It took a goal line stand for KC to outlast the Chargers the last time they met, and that might just be the case once again. Chiefs make the plays they have to and escape with a W.
John McCarty: Chiefs 27, Chargers 13
The Chiefs offense appears to be in sync, while the Chargers defense continues to leave a lot to be desired, especially since rookie defensive end Joey Bosa is likely to see little to no action. Kansas City’s defense will struggle at times, especially if Antonio Gates is able to get 1-on-1 matchups. However, a lack of talent on the perimeter will limit what San Diego can achieve, and will be forced to be one dimensional, thus allowing the Chiefs weakness to be covered and shrouded in the awfulness that is the Chargers.
Stacy Smith – Chiefs 24, Chargers 21
This game will be closer than most expect. Travis Benjamin and Keenan Allen could be a load to cover with limited snaps for Hali and none for Houston. If the Chiefs can’t get pressure on Rivers, this could be a nail-biter.
Tarek Mavani – Chiefs 24, Chargers 17
The Chargers defense is going to have all sorts of problems containing the Chiefs ground game and I think that’ll open things up for a less risk adverse Alex Smith.
Gaines and Peters will take some lumps, but they’ll also make some game-changing plays which will compensate for the lack of QB pressure.
Next: More picks!