Chiefs vs. Chargers: Keenan Allen among matchup concerns in Week 2

Chiefs linebackers vs. Austin Ekeler and Hunter Henry

The Kansas City linebacking corps weren’t just the weakest link against the Texans last Thursday, they were also objectively bad. They could not cover in space and were often behind when it came to identifying where the ball carrier was going out of the backfield. It was a horrendous showing and one that should have Chiefs’ fans concerned as the team prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3.

Can defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo right the ship before the biggest test of the season?

If he cannot, it could be a long day for the Kansas City defense. In tight end Hunter Henry and running back Austin Ekeler, the Chargers boast two of the best middle-of-the-field or in-the-flat pass catching weapons in the entire NFL. When healthy, Henry is a matchup nightmare for safeties and linebackers alike, and he may be able to mosey out to the flat at will and catch 7 to 10 yard passes along the sideline all day long.

Likewise, Ekeler excels at catching the ball out of the backfield and if Anthony Hitchens or Damien Wilson are covering the shifty back, that seems like a big red flag for Kansas City’s defense.

This is not a hopeless matchup for the Chiefs. The team has athletic linebackers who they’ve drafted and (hopefully) developed specifically for these matchups: Dorian O’Daniel and Willie Gay, Jr. However, those players not only have to be ready for the challenge, but they also have to actually play in the game to make good on their talents.

What Kansas City does to address these threats is anybody’s guess at this point, but how they handle the matchup could go a long way in determining how close this contest is.