Chiefs vs. Chargers predictions: Writers pick K.C. to roll into playoffs

As the Kansas City Chiefs return home to face the Los Angeles Chargers, our writers predict the Chiefs to finish the season strong.

After soundly beating the Chicago Bears last week, the Kansas City Chiefs return home to face the Los Angeles Chargers to end the regular season. Our writers predict the Chiefs to continue their win streak and finish the season off strong.

With the win against the Bears last week, the Chiefs extended their winning streak to five games, pushing their record to 11-4. The Chiefs will be closing out the 2019 regular season in Arrowhead Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers with hopes to finish 12-4 and ride into the playoffs on a six-game winning streak.

Earlier this week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that the Chiefs would not be resting their starters. The results of three games this Sunday could affect what seeding the Chiefs would receive in the playoffs. The Chiefs will be playing at 12:00 p.m. CST, the same time as the New England Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins, and the Tennessee Titans will be playing the Houston Texans at 3:25 p.m. CST. The results of these three games could be the difference between the Chiefs finishing as the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th seed in the playoffs.

If the Chiefs win and the Patriots lose, the Chiefs will secure the 2-seed. If the Chiefs win and the Patriots win, the Chiefs will take the 3-seed. If the Chiefs lose and the Texans win, the Chiefs will finish as the 4th seed.

Earlier this week, the Chiefs sent running back Spencer Ware to injured reserve, leaving the Chiefs running back position thin. The good news for the Chiefs is that they will be getting defensive tackle Xavier Williams back to the team, as he is returning from IR to replace Ware.

Other good news for the Chiefs is that cornerback Rashad Fenton will be returning to the lineup from injury. However, cornerback Morris Claiborne will miss another game as he is out with a shoulder injury. Offensive guard Andrew Wylie, who missed last week’s game, is listed as questionable and is in jeopardy of missing this week as well.

Our writers are confident that the Chiefs will beat the Chargers to finish the season strong.

Drew Brooks: Chiefs 38, Chargers 10

I think the Chiefs will take care of business to finish the season. This has the potential to be a trap game, but so did last week’s matchup and we saw how that went. The Chiefs defense has been dominant recently, and I expect that to continue with a garbage time touchdown for the Chargers. I think the Chiefs will take the lead early in this game and never give it up.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 34, Chargers 20

The Chiefs are going to finish the regular season with all the momentum they could have desired, and Patrick Mahomes will put up 4 touchdowns to at least give the stat sheet a late season surge here. I have a hard time believing the Patriots will lose to the Fins, so it’s all for naught, but demolishing the Chargers once again will be reward enough.

Jacob Harris: Chiefs 27, Chargers 14

Chiefs win easy and coast into the playoffs. They don’t go full fireworks show because they don’t have to.

Jake Kokoris: Chiefs 27, Chargers 20

There’s potential for a trap game here: the Chiefs could overlook this matchup a bit, while the Chargers may play like this their Super Bowl. Count on Phillip Rivers to come out firing in what may be his final game as a Charger. Chris Jones, Frank Clark and company will have a strong day roughing the passer.  Expect a hungry Chargers team in the first half, but one that will fade late.

Scott Loring: Chiefs 28, Chargers 9

Philip Rivers achieves one point for each of his nine kids in his final appearance with a football helmet on. Chiefs win handily. Damien Williams crosses the 100-yard threshold. Patriots also win, so Chiefs end up with the 3-seed and host Tennessee in the Wild Card game.

Ellen Mathis: Chiefs 30, Chargers 20

To close out the season, the Chiefs will beat the Chargers. The Bokts stink this year and are just looking to be done. The CHiefs want to continue the momentum. They will win, but because it is a divisional game, it won’t be a complete blowout.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 35, Chargers 0

The Chiefs are gonna treat this as a preseason game, and I mean, is it not. Unless the Dolphins can magically pull something off, this game has no major sway on the Chiefs final standings. But this is another great opportunity for the Chiefs to flex that defense who hasn’t allowed a touchdown since New England and a shutout would hype that Arrowhead crowd.

Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 31, Chargers 13

The Chiefs have done a really good job of putting away their opponents in the second half of games recently, putting points on the scoreboard while limiting them to fewer than 20 points. The Chiefs will continue that trend to conclude the season.