It’s unanimous among our staff writers in Week 3 as no one has any doubts about the Chiefs’ ability to topple the Chargers on the road.
It’s time for another round of Arrowhead Addict staff predictions. Heading into Week 3, there’s not a single member of our staff who believe that the Chargers will win. However, it’s also interesting that almost all of them believe that Philip Rivers and company can keep it close. There’s no denying that the Chargers still garner plenty of respect even when they’re 0-2.
Chiefs 28, Chargers 21
The Chargers will give them a game, because that’s what the Chargers do. But in the end, the better team will win with a go-ahead touchdown at the eight minute mark of the fourth quarter. [Anthony Crane]
Chiefs 34, Chargers 21
The Kansas City Chiefs are playing like the best team in the NFL right now, and they are. The team was able to shock the NFL with a big win under the lights against the New England Patriots, and were able to put away head coach Andy Reid’s old team the Philadelphia Eagles. The Kansas City Chiefs will once again be the better team in LA this weekend when they face division rival The Los Angles Chargers.
Look for K.C. to keep the winning ways up with the help of play makers Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt who go off against a banged up Charger defense. The defense and resurgence of linebacker Justin Houston force quarterback Phillip Rivers to make a mistake and the team gets their first interception of 2017.The Chiefs handle business and keep the AFC West winning streak alive and improve to 3-0. [Nick Floyd]
Chiefs 31, Chargers 17
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
This is going to be a tough test on the road. The Chargers have all the pieces to be a good team, they have simply run into bad luck as far as kicking goes. I think in the end this game, like many, comes down to defense. Even without Eric Berry, the Chiefs defense is just too good. Justin Houston and Chris Jones will devour the Chargers offensive line. Philip Rivers has thrown 14 interceptions in his career at home versus Kansas City. Marcus Peters is going to get one Sunday. The Chargers have a good defensive line, but their linebackers and secondary don’t have a chance keeping up with the Chiefs three headed monster (Kelce, Hill, Hunt) Philip Rivers has never started 0-3 in his 11 year career, this won’t be easy. But Kansas City is just too good right now [Austin Owen]
Chiefs 27, Chargers 17
It’s Week 3 and the Kansas City Chiefs are prepared to square up with division rival the now Los Angeles-based Chargers. The former is currently atop what many NFL pundits are calling the “best division in football.” The latter is winless and scraping the bottom of the barrel in the AFC West. Fortunately for viewers of this game, team standings typically have little bearing on how these divisional games play out.
Despite being 3-point favorites in Sunday’s matchup, the Chargers are talented enough to steal a game from the Chiefs. They’re better than their 0-2 record suggests and could easily leverage a solid ground game and productive pass rush to end Kansas City’s quick start to the 2017 season. Luckily for the Chiefs, this doesn’t set up as the typical trap game in spite of L.A.’s early struggles. This game, with a division foe, is wedged between NFC East opponents. There’s no chance the Chiefs will be looking past the Chargers in this game.
That said, I think the Chiefs continue to roll and take care of business in a stadium where the 12th man won’t be quite as daunting as in years past. The Chargers’ home opener at the StubHub Center drew fewer than 25,000 fans. Kareem Hunt will continue to lead the field as the frontrunner in the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Alex Smith tosses a pair of touchdowns and the Chiefs front seven harasses Philip Rivers for most of the afternoon. The Chargers keep it close for 40 minutes before wilting down the stretch – Kansas City wins this game 27-17. [Reach]
Chiefs 30, Chargers 21
Playing the Chargers tends to lead to higher scoring games, but if defensive coordinator Bob Sutton allows Justin Houston and Dee Ford to rush after Philip Rivers before halftime, it could be bigger gap. The Chargers defense is struggling in its new scheme and Chiefs offense seems to come out to play when going against the Bolts. [Travis Steffen]
Chiefs 34, Chargers 14
The Chiefs enjoy a home game in Los Angeles. Kareem Hunt continues to amaze the football world while Alex Smith stays hot. The defense makes Phillip Rivers upset all game. Look for the first special teams touchdown of the year this Sunday for the Chiefs. [Chris Taylor]
Chiefs 32, Chargers 10
Just over a year ago the Kansas City Chiefs opened the season against the Los Angeles Chargers and we got to witness one of the greatest Chiefs comebacks in team history. This time around there will be no need for a comeback. The Chargers can’t stop the run or the pass. The Chargers are the worst combined rushing and run blocking team in the league. Every year the Chiefs seem to have a game where they dominate in turnovers and I’m predicting this is the game. Philip Rivers has 3 interceptions and the Chiefs force two fumbles. [David Thomas]
Chiefs 24, Chargers 20
I think this will be a game that is never in doubt, but the Chiefs won’t be able to run and hide. The Chargers pass rush will get to Smith a few times and blow up plays that makes the offense look bad. But just like in the Eagles game, the 4th quarter will belong to the Chiefs. The Chargers will keep it close, because the Chargers always keep games close. But the Chiefs win without breaking much of a sweat. [Britt Zank]