Chiefs vs. Chargers predictions: Who will win Mexico City showdown?

After losing a heartbreaker against the Tennessee Titans, our writers predict the Kansas City Chiefs will beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City.

Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans in game they should’ve won. A week after kicker Harrison Butker hit a game winning field goal against the Minnesota Vikings, he had an opportunity to hit a game-tying field goal against the Titans. However, this time his kick hardly got off his foot as Titans cornerback Joshua Kalu perfectly timed his jump and blocked it.

It was quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first game back since suffering a knee injury back in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes picked up right where he left off before the injury and, in fact, perhaps played the best he’s played all season. He finished the day completing 36/50 passes for 446 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The return of Mahomes was a huge boost to the Chiefs against the Titans, but in the end, too many mistakes and a lack of defensive consistency came back to bite the Chiefs. They will now turn their attention to the Los Angeles Chargers, who they will play at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The Chiefs were supposed to play a game at Estadio Azteca last year against the Los Angeles Rams, but the game was moved at the last minute due to poor field quality. This year, the NFL made sure the field would be in good quality for the Chiefs to play the Chargers there on Monday Night Football.

The stadium is at an altitude of 7,200 feet, which is about 2,000 feet higher than Mile High stadium in Denver. While the Los Angeles Chargers are going to Denver to practice in preparation for the higher altitude, the Chiefs believe sticking to their routine will prepare them enough.

This is a key division game for the Chiefs and our writers are confident in a Chiefs win. Here are our full writer predictions:

Drew Brooks: Chiefs 42, Chargers 31

Last time the Chiefs played on Monday Night Football, it was against the Los Angeles Rams and was an extremely high scoring game. I think this game will be similar to that game, but not as high scoring. I think Mahomes has a huge game to firmly put his name back into the MVP conversation and the Chiefs will come away with a victory.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 34, Chargers 32

Let’s air it out. Why not? I’m predicting shades of Rams-Chiefs in this Mexico City thriller without the ridiculously high scores. The Chiefs will win because… I have no good reason to say that. The Chargers could win. Who knows? We’re all rolling dice here.

Lyle Graversen: Chiefs 41, Chargers 31

I really think the team will play angry after choking away the Titans game. The offense will give up some yards and points but they’ll make enough big plays on both sides of the ball to come away with the win.

Jacob Harris: Chiefs 35, Chargers 21

I think Rivers is done. Or, I hope Rivers is done. Really I just hope the Chiefs don’t blow this one. Please, guys.

Scott Loring: Chargers 31, Chiefs 26

Kansas City and Los Angeles are each pretty banged up. K.C. has gotten several important pieces back from injury, but the losses of defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and offensive linean Martinas Rankin are bigger than anyone will ever recognize on the national level. The Chiefs are really trying to figure out their identity right now, and a game in this atmosphere has not typically gone well for the Chiefs. The Chargers’ backs are against the wall, and they’ve had this one circled on the calendar for a long time.

Jordan Mannix: Chiefs 35, Chargers 27

Here’s the breakdown of this team in a nutshell. If they are healthy, they’re perfectly capable of putting up 30 to 35 points against anybody. Once they get in a groove, that might jump to 40 and most of this won’t matter. They’re not in that groove yet, and they need the defense to be reasonably consistent to beat an NFL team. We’ve now seen even average teams can put up 35 on this defense with all the mistakes included. If the defense bounces back and can be even somewhat consistent, this should be an easy win for the Chiefs. If not, this could be a nail-biter. Either way, the Chiefs have to win this game.

Ellen Mathis: Chiefs 30, Chargers 24

The Chiefs are looking to bounce back after their signature game drop of the season (at least I hope that’s all it was). The Chargers, coming off a loss to the Raiders, are looking to keep any hopes of postseason alive. All bets are off since this game is in Mexico City though and it is between two rivals. Don’t count on the Chargers playing poorly. They will be ready for this game having had an extended rest period. Regardless, the Chiefs have to win this game if they want to win the division. Because of that, I think the Chiefs pull off a close one.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 28, Chargers 7

I’m begging Patrick Mahomes, if you’re reading, throw the ball from end zone to end zone at least once during this game. International games mean defensive games, except when you have the most explosive offense in football. The Chargers are getting healthier, but aren’t quiet there, so the Chiefs offense should open and close this one with ease. Rivers is having a trash season, and he is not about to stop overthrowing receivers in a higher altitude, so the defense may get a good ego boost going into the bye week. Watch for the Chiefs to play extremely safe in order to prep for the second half of the season and the playoffs.

Rylan Stiles: Chiefs 31, Chargers 14

The Chiefs, on primetime television in Mexico City, throttle the Chargers on both sides of the ball and reestablish themselves as Super Bowl contenders for those who forgot. Mahomes and Hill have huge games, even by their standards.

Kelly Thompson: Chiefs 34, Chargers 19

The Chiefs will come out playing with intensity and it will be incredibly obvious the to degree to which they have missed Eric Fisher in terms of their running game and general offensive efficiency. The Chargers, no doubt, will come out believing that they can remain competitive, and are likely to to do so for the first half, but the healthiest Chiefs’ team since Week One will pull away late and leave no doubt where they stand as it relates to other contenders in the AFC. Mahomes tops 400 yards again, and the defense records 6+ sacks.

Grant Tuttle: Chiefs 38, Chargers13

The Chiefs have their backs against the wall, which is awful news for the Chargers. Kansas City and Andy Reid have owned their AFC West and I expect the Chiefs will absolutely rip the Chargers. Mahomes and company have one of the best games of the season.