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Scouting the enemy: Los Angeles Chargers ready for Week 1 showdown with Chiefs

By Kody Latham

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 24: Joey Bosa #99 of the San Diego Chargers reacts after sacking Robert Griffin III #10 of the Cleveland Browns (not pictured) in the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 24: Joey Bosa #99 of the San Diego Chargers reacts after sacking Robert Griffin III #10 of the Cleveland Browns (not pictured) in the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 03: DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns avoids the tackle from Joey Bosa #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at StubHub Center on December 3, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 03: DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns avoids the tackle from Joey Bosa #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at StubHub Center on December 3, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Defense

The Chargers defense has been a big reason why they have been talked about as the front-runner to win the AFC West. The addition of this year’s first-round pick Derwin James can only help improve their pass defense which ranked as the third best last season. Having both Casey Hayward (PFF’s second highest rated corner) and Trevor Williams (PFF’s 19th overall corner) as your bookends on defense is what the Chargers will be relying on to continue to have the great defensive success they had in the back end of the defense last season.

Things are not all rainbows and sunshine for the Chargers secondary, though. Jason Verrett tore his Achilles while participating in the teams conditioning test. It is unheard of for a player to be injured in such a fashion to start the season. They have had a few other scares as well with Joey Bosa and Trevor Williams. Bosa suffered an injury to his left foot at the beginning of August but has since returned to practice and seems to be fine. Williams had injured his ankle while guarding Mike Williams and had to wear a boot for a short while, but he too has since returned to practice.

The Chargers will also be without their best defensive tackle on Sunday. Corey Liuget has been suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. This is a big deal for a team that ranked 31st against the run last year while Liguet was on the field. Not having Liuget is probably what prompted the Chargers to claim former Chiefs d-lineman T.Y. McGill.

Looking at the Chargers team overall there is nowhere that someone can point to and say that it is a weakness. Tom Telesco has done a great job in putting together this Chargers roster. Which makes this week even more exciting than it would normally be for the opening of the NFL season.

Next. Allen Bailey's contract year could hold surprises. dark

If Reid and Mahomes can walk into Los Angeles and leave with a win it will be a pretty big statement. Either way, this weekend is the beginning of an era for Chiefs fans and should be one of the most memorable and entertaining that we have seen in a long time.

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