It’s time for the Arrowhead Addict roundtable where we ask our staff writers for their weekly predictions. Will the Chiefs best the Chargers on Sunday?
The Kansas City Chiefs enter their Week 1 match-up against the Los Angeles Chargers with an eight consecutive win streak against the division rivals. Can the Chiefs make it nine straight for a franchise record?
The majority of our contributing writers believe that’s exactly what will happen on Sunday afternoon, but it’s not 100 percent. We have a few who think Chiefs streak will finally come to an end, with the predictions turning out a 12-4 count in the favor of the Chiefs.
Let’s hope those staff members are mistaken in their predictions and the Chiefs start off the season with a win on the road against the Chargers. It’s time for a rundown of our final predictions and why.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 28
The Chiefs have won every game against the Chargers in the last four years and I expect that trend to continue. Rivers will likely put up very good numbers against the Chiefs like he’s projected to, but the Chiefs’ offense will match the Chargers’. I expect a close game up until the end, with the Chiefs kicking a game-winning field goal as time expires.
Chiefs 28, Chargers 24
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
Although the Los Angeles Chargers have 15-year veteran Philip Rivers, the Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram duo, Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen, the Chiefs have managed to beat the Chargers since 2013 eight consecutive times. It’s a safe bet to say that Andy Reid studies their system well. The Chiefs running game and offensive front has already proven to be very explosive, but the defensive line needs to prove they won’t be one of the worst in the league similar to last year. I believe this will be a close game, but I also believe the Chiefs will pull through.
Chargers 31, Chiefs 21
Patrick Mahomes will show up strong enough in the box score to look decent, but a defense that was still adding key pieces while driving to the stadium will fail to come together as a cohesive unit. Go figure. This game certainly doesn’t put the Chiefs out of anything, it’s a long season, but I think the Chiefs are going to grow a LOT in 2018 and that means they gotta start at a pretty low floor. At midseason, it’s a totally different contest.
Chiefs 27, Chargers 14
I think the Chiefs will struggle defensively for the first quarter and possibly the entire first half but will find their groove along with the offense. Mahomes will have some hiccups but will be able to pull off the Chiefs win. He is a good quarterback and will show the entirety of the NFL that the Chiefs offense is a force to be reckoned with. The Chargers will not know what to do with Mahomes, even if they manage to blanket coverage, Kareem Hunt would just run all over them.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 27
The Chiefs offense will make a statement in this game as Andy Reid opens up the playbook and turns Patrick Mahomes loose. The run game comes to life and the trio of Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill put up big numbers. The defense does just enough and the Chiefs go on the road and beat the Chargers.
Chargers 31, Chiefs 28
This prediction is made under the assumption that Eric Berry doesn’t play. We’ll see flashes of what the offense can do at its best, both in the form of a signature long opening scripted Andy Reid drive and a bomb or two from Mahomes, but it won’t be enough. The Chargers being great on paper but being mediocre in reality is a bit of an overstated trend among Chiefs fans. They’re dangerous, and they’ll show it week one. If Berry plays, reverse the score.
Chiefs 24, Chargers 14
The expectations for Patrick Mahomes are extremely high. The Chiefs have beaten the Los Angeles Chargers 8 times in a row, with the last loss coming in Week 17 of 2013 when the Chiefs were resting their starters.
Corey Liguet, their starting defensive tackle is currently suspended for the first four games of this season, and if the Chargers have one overall weakness on the team it is the linebacking core. If the Chiefs can get the run game going to help their young signal caller they should be able to control the clock and make sure Mahomes does not take any unnecessary risks.
Chargers 31, Chiefs 24
The Chiefs secondary looks too shaky right now. The Bolts are at home, and the Chiefs have a rookie QB starting his first meaningful game. Hope I’m wrong, and I could be. Chiefs have Andy Reid’s extended game-planning going for them here.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 24
I feel like we’ve all heard this song before. The Chargers are contenders and the Chiefs are above average. Yet, the Chargers are notorious for slow starts and haven’t beat the Chiefs in eight contests. The Chiefs break out of their vanilla preseason scheme and win.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 24
Chargers take the early lead as Chiefs try to find a way to tame Keenan Allen. Chiefs come out in the 2nd half and a Mahomes to Hill 80-yard touchdown gives us the momentum and Chiefs take control to lead them to an early 1-0 lead in division. [Brandon Norris]
Chiefs 28, Chargers 24
In another thrilling opener against the Chargers. L.A. will blow it down the stretch, as Mahomes connects with Hill down the sidelines to go up late in the fourth quarter and they never look back.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 24
Kansas City will win this game. Andy Reid is historically good on opening day. He will be prepared despite the fact that the Chiefs are coming in with serious questions on defense. Even if Berry doesn’t play (because that is without a doubt a question), the Chiefs won both games against the Chargers without him last season. I see this game being relatively high scoring with the Chiefs ultimately coming out on top.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 28
Chiefs defense records three sacks and one pick but gives up a ton of yards. The offense dominates through the air.
Chargers 31, Chiefs 27
Mahomes throws 2 TDs but has a pick and a fumble. Kareem will punch one in as well. Two field goals from Harrison Butker. Keenan Allen will have a field day and Melvin Gordon will have 100 yards and 2TDs.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 17
I look for Andy and Mahomes to stretch the field early and often. Pairing that with the run game between Kareem Hunt and company, I fully expect the Chiefs to put up points. On to the defense, Bob Sutton has dominated two quarterbacks since joining Kansas City. Derek Carr and Phillip Rivers both have struggled immensely against a Chiefs defense coached by Bob Sutton. This trend will continue, led by newly acquired Kendall Fuller and Justin Houston. Don’t forget about Chris Jones either. The Chiefs will emerge victorious opening day.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 20
This is a game of strength of the Chargers (defense) vs the strength of the Chiefs (offense). I believe the first half will belong to the Chargers with Mahomes being overly hyped and the defense needing to gel a little with most of the starters not playing much in pre-season. The second half is all K.C. though and they run away with what turns out to be an easy week 1 win.