Chiefs vs. Chargers, Week 1: Madden ’19 simulation predicts win for K.C.
By Rylan Stiles
The Kansas City Chiefs start the season with a comfortable 27-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers—according to Madden.
While we’re closer than ever before to the start of the Kansas City Chiefs season, there are still 24 hours to go. So as we twiddle our thumbs waiting for the Patrick Mahomes era to officially begin, why not dust off the joystick and run a Madden NFL ’19 simulation of how this game will play out?
The final score: Chiefs win 27-20. Here’s how it breaks down.
While the scoreboard shows K.C. only got out of L.A. with a narrow win, it was not as close as the scoreboard indicates. The Chiefs never trailed in this AFC West tilt. Patrick Mahomes flung the pigskin 36 times for 262 yards (58% completion rate) and a pair of touchdowns. The second year quarterback out of Texas Tech had a passer rating of 99.1 and did not throw an interception. Chiefs fans would be ecstatic with that stat line from their young gunslinger on Sunday. Also of note, Patrick Mahomes hit the deck four times, as Melvin Ingram and Darius Philon both recorded a pair of sacks each.
On the ground, the Chiefs were less than impressive in this virtual showing. Kareem Hunt touted the rock 21 times for 63 yards. The only other Chief to record a carry was Spencer Ware who earned 1 touch for -3 yards.
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Who was on the receiving end of Pat Mahomes’ big day? His reception leader was Tyreek Hill who hauled in five passes for 41 yards. Travis Kelce tied Hill with five grabs of his own for 67 yards.
The talk of the preseason has been how will Mahomes connect with Sammy Watkins? Well, Watkins only caught three passes, but he caught both of Patricks touchdown strikes. Watkins was targeted three times for three receptions and two touchdowns. As Larry David would say: “Pretty….Pretty….Pretty good.”
I know what you are thinking, if you have made it this far into the Madden simulation article: “What about the defense?!”
Well, Kendall Fuller led the Chiefs in tackles with nine. Anthony Hitchens followed closely behind with eight tackles in his own right. Kansas City earned two tackles for a loss, recorded by Breeland Speaks and Dee Ford respectively. Chris Jones sacked Phillip Rivers twice, Breeland Speaks and Allen Bailey both recorded a sack as well. Surprisingly, rookie safety Armani Watts also found his way into the backfield to take down Rivers.
The Chiefs defense forced a pair of fumbles, recovering both. Those two Chargers turnovers gave Kansas City the edge in that category as their offense played a clean game with no turnovers.
In the special teams game, neither return team did anything of note. Both kickers went two-for-two on putting the ball through the uprights. Chargers kicker booted a 35-yarder his longest of the day, while Harrison Butker saw a 31-yarder go through.
Final team stats:
Chiefs:
- 322 total yards
- 265 passing yards
- 60 rushing yards
- 50% on third downs
- 100% in the Red Zone (1-TD, 2-FGs)
Chargers
- 355 total yards
- 252 passing yards
- 103 rushing yards
- 35% on third downs
- 75% in the Red Zone (2-TDs, 1-FG)
Well, now we know where Madden stands. The Chiefs will play another close game with the Chargers to open their season, and again start 1-0. Kansas City has not lost a week one contest since Andy’s first year on the sidelines.
Who do you think will win this game? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter!