Chargers vs. Chiefs: Writers predict Kansas City to roll over Bolts

In our week 15 writer predictions, the Kansas City Chiefs are predicted to beat the Los Angeles Chargers with ease despite a short week.

Coming off a narrow overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Kansas City Chiefs face the challenge of a short week as they prepare for a key matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night. Though the Chiefs have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, they are looking to comfortably stay in control of the AFC West and the #1 playoff seed.

Because the Chiefs are undefeated against the AFC West, they can still afford to lose a game and be first in the division. They can also afford to lose a game and still retain the #1 seed in the playoffs. However, a win would clinch the AFC West and all but clinch the #1 playoff seed. If the Chiefs win, the only way they could lose the top playoff spot would be if they lose out.

The Chiefs are heading into the game banged up, with four key offensive players in jeopardy of missing the game. Offensive guard Cam Erving went down with a knee injury against the Ravens and began the week not practicing. Running back Spencer Ware sustained both a shoulder and hamstring injury against the Ravens and missed practice to begin the week. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins continues to nurse the injured foot that has kept him out of the last few games.

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Wide receiver Tyreek Hill opened the week without practicing, but head coach Andy Reid thinks he will play. This is evidenced by Hill’s improvement to a limited participant during Tuesday’s practice. While it looks likely that Hill will play, we will have to wait for a final injury designation until Wednesday.

The Chargers are also facing injuries to key players, the most notable ones being running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Gordon has missed the past two games with a sprained MCL, and the short week does help in his effort to return to the field. Ekeler re-aggravated a neck injury late in the Chargers game against the Bengals and is also in danger of missing Thursday night’s game.

The good news for the Chiefs is the fact, even if Melvin Gordon plays, safety Eric Berry might be returning to the lineup for the first time since the opening game of the 2017 season. Not only would Berry’s return boost the Chiefs defense, but his presence alone would boost the entire team. The Chiefs also have to feel good as they haven’t lost to the Chargers since 2013. They carry a 9 game winning streak into this game and are looking to add to it and lock up the AFC.

As the Chiefs prepare for this key division matchup, we’ve asked our writers for their predictions. They unanimously believe the Chiefs will take care of business at home and put away the Chargers for the 10th straight time.

Drew Brooks

A short week and the threat of rain will not be enough to slow down Patrick Mahomes, who has been on fire all season. The Chiefs will jump ahead early and continue their dominance over the Chargers. If Eric Berry does make his return to the lineup, this game won’t even be close and the defense will completely shut down Philip Rivers. The game will be closer if Berry doesn’t play, but the Chiefs will still come out on top. Chiefs 45, Chargers 17

Chantel Buchi

Obviously, Andy Reid knows how to beat the Chargers since he hasn’t lost to them in the last five matchups, but all of the odds are against the Chiefs. It’s going to be a close game due to two obvious things: The Chiefs offense is ranked first in points per game (36.2) and the Chargers defense is ranked seventh in points allowed per game (20.8). So, may the better offensive or defensive team win. Faith for the offense is anything but low on this end. Chiefs 31, Chargers 27

Matt Conner

I think the short week makes everyone look a little off, a little tired, a little beat up. However the Chiefs have all the momentum, the talent and a bit of help coming in Kelvin Benjamin, Charcandrick West and maybe even Eric Berry. With Tony Gonzalez going into the Hall, the lights of primetime, the sounds of Arrowhead faithful, it’s just hard to picture the Chiefs losing with so much working in their favor. Chiefs 30, Chargers 20

Jalon Dodson

The Kansas City Chiefs’ dominance over the AFC West is of no fallacy nor secrecy. Its dominance over the Los Angeles Chargers, as well, was already shown once at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles. The Chargers stand no chance against Patrick Mahomes and his punishing offense. With star safety Eric Berry likely returning, the defense is going to have a repeat performance of Week 5, if not even better. Chiefs 38, Chargers 20

Lyle Graversen

This game feels like another shootout in the making. The Chiefs are #1 in yards and points per game and the Chargers are in the top six in the league as well. While the Chargers have the better all-around defense the Chiefs are better at getting after the quarterback and that will likely be a factor in a high scoring game. The Arrowhead advantage has a history of getting to Rivers as well. Chiefs 37, Chargers 34

Jacob Harris

A shootout that’d be considered a classic if the Chiefs hadn’t already been in two with a lot more scoring and they weren’t coming off an overtime thriller against Baltimore. Mahomes makes a couple more impossible throws for Twitter to marvel at GIFs of, and the Chiefs continue to prove they have the Chargers’ number. Rivers throws his prerequisite late-game interception to seal the Bolts’ fate. Chiefs 38, Chargers 31

Ellen Tolsma

After a physical game on Sunday, the chiefs need to bounce back quickly. This is a prime time AFC West showdown that will decide who wins the west. The chargers are playing well, but at the end of the day, the Mahomes magic we are witnessing will win the day. Chiefs 38, Chargers 31

Grant Tuttle

I expect the Chiefs to come away with the win with a full-fledged Arrowhead crowd behind them. I believe that Mahomes throws 4 touchdowns en route to another AFC West victory. However, the game will be won on a big play from the defense. Chiefs 38, Chargers 35

Farzin Vousoughian

The Chiefs know that they can clinch the division and a first-round bye. They got a lot of help on Sunday from other AFC teams. Now, they need to take care of the Chargers, and the moral is high coming off a crazy game. Chiefs 35, Chargers 17

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Thomas Welte

The Chiefs are on short rest after a physical overtime win over the Ravens. The Chargers have been on fire as of late. That said, this is a prime time game at Arrowhead with Eric Berry returning to the lineup. This is the biggest game left on the schedule for both teams, but Chiefs continue to have the Chargers number. Chiefs 38, Chargers 28

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