Writers predict Chiefs will roll over Chargers in Week 2

After soundly beating the Houston Texans, the K.C. Chiefs turn around to face the L.A. Chargers in Week 2. Here’s what our writers predict will happen.

Last week, our writers predicted the Kansas City Chiefs would dominate the Houston Texans, and that’s exactly what happened. The final score of 34-20 made the game look closer than it actually was, as the Texans scored 13 points in the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs have a lot to look forward to after their game against the Texans. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire lived up to the hype as he ran for 138 yards and 1 touchdown on 25 carries. He should’ve had three more touchdowns, but was stuffed at the goal line on three separate drives.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes picked up where he left off, completing 24 out of 32 passes for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins paced the team as the best receiver, catching 7 passes for 82 yards and 1 touchdown. After their excellent start to the season, the Chiefs got a 10-day rest to prepare for their trip to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers.

Unlike the Chiefs, the Chargers did not start the season off with a bang. While they made it past the Cincinnati Bengals, they only won by 3 points for a final score of 16-13. Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 16 of his 30 pass attempts for 208 yards, but the Chargers offense had an overall lackluster performance.

Though the Chiefs had 10 days to prepare for the game, they are still fighting some injuries. Cornerback Charvarius Ward fractured his hand against the Texans and has had surgery since then. He has not practiced this week, but there’s still a chance he suits up for the game. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders dislocated his elbow and is expected to be out for about a month. Defensive end Alex Okafor injured his hamstring and has not practiced this week, which is not a good sign for his return this week.

Meanwhile, for the Chargers, center Mike Pouncey is set to miss the rest of the season as he undergoes hip surgery. Defensive end Joey Bosa sustained a triceps injury and missed Wednesday’s practice. However, on Thursday he suited up in limited fashion, which is a good sign for him. He is likely going to be designated as questionable going into Sunday’s game.

Though both teams are dealing with key injuries, they are mostly healthy. Our writers believe that, with or without injuries, the Chiefs will roll over the Chargers this week. Here are our full writer predictions.

Drew Brooks: Chiefs 38, Chargers 13

The Chiefs are going to absolutely smother the Chargers early. The Chargers offense did not look good at all last week, while the Chiefs offense overpowered the Texans easily. This could present itself to be a trap game as the Chiefs should have no trouble with LAC, but I think the Chiefs are disciplined enough to take care of business. With or without Bosa, I don’t think the Chargers stand a chance against KC.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 27, Chargers 17

The Chiefs could be tempted to look beyond the Bolts to Week 3’s marquee matchup with the Ravens, but Andy Reid has been down this road multiple times. The Chiefs will take care of business on their first road trip while simultaneously hoping to come away clean on the injury report before the schedule gets much tougher.

Stephen Dudas: Chiefs 31, Chargers 13

Opening night we did not even see the best this Chiefs offense had to offer and they still scored with ease. The Chargers defense is much more formidable than the Texans but with the rest advantage I don’t foresee any issues for Mahomes and Reid. This Chargers offense will have trouble keeping up.

Lyle Graversen: Chiefs 30, Chargers 16

I think this is pretty simple, the Chargers just don’t have enough fire power to keep up with the Kansas City Chiefs. Period. Yes, the Chargers have a pretty good defense, but as the game wears on the Chiefs simply have too many weapons to shut down. KC is able to coast down the stretch in another dominant win.

Sterling Holmes: Chiefs 34, Chargers 17

While the Chargers have an improved offense line and a QB in Tyrod Taylor who is as conservative as Rivers was wild, the Chiefs are just too much in this one for a conservative game plan. While I think the Chargers have some playmakers on offense, this Chiefs defense looks to be the real deal and will shut down the deep ball. On offense, the Chiefs have too many ways to beat you and I’m looking forward to seeing CEH contribute in the passing game. New QB, same result.

Jake Kokoris:  Chiefs 38, Chargers 20

The Tyrod Taylor led Chargers resemble the absolute worst performances from Alex Smith led Chiefs. There is nothing happening on the LA offense, whatsoever. Well, they do have some stud receivers, but I don’t think that advantage is going to amount to much, simply because Taylor seems averse to deep throws. I also think Mahomes quietly eyed the brilliant games from Russel Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers last week, and will be looking to match that.

Scott Loring: Chiefs 23, Chargers 13

The Chiefs go to Los Angeles as 8.5-point favorites and, while I think they’ll cover the spread, this will be a close game. With a very good set of cornerbacks in Casey Hayward and Chris Harris, the Chargers match up respectably against the Chiefs’ passing game. The matchup to watch will be Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz against Joey Bosa, Jerry Tillery, and Melvin Ingram. The Chiefs’ tackles looked rusty against the Texans, and will have their hands full on Sunday.

Also pay attention to the Chargers’ injuries, as they went to Cincinnati without two veteran starters on their offensive line, Trai Turner and Mike Pouncey.

Ellen Mathis: Chiefs 35, Chargers 17

Chiefs and Chargers meet in the first divisional game for the AFC West. The Chargers are coming off a barely squeaked by win against the Bengals while the Chiefs are coming off a mini-bye after easily handling the Texans. Tyrod Taylor is not the answer at quarterback and injuries continue to plague the Chargers. Chiefs will spoil the Chargers opener at SoFi Stadium.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 30, Chargers 17

If Joey Bosa does not play, give the Chiefs 40. This shouldn’t be close, and I wouldn’t even be surprised if the Chiefs hold the Chargers scoreless.  But I could see garbage time starting early this week and the chargers capitalizing on it. Chiefs may call the game conservatively because next weeks game, but overall easy dub.

Travis Steffen: Chiefs 35, Chargers 17

The Chargers came close to losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and were only able to put up 16 points. Asking Tyrod Taylor to keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the endless weapons Kansas City holds is about as tough as it gets. The conservative passing game from Los Angeles will have them falling behind early, no matter how good their defense looks to be this year.

Rylan Stiles: Chiefs 38, Chargers 17
Patrick Mahomes and the offense keeps improving especially in the red zone, while the defense steps up big time outside of yet another late Chargers score to put a chip back on their shoulders for another week.

Kelly Thompson: Chiefs 35, Chargers 12

This game is as much of a blowout as you may expect between two teams on seemingly opposite trajectories for the season. It genuinely will not surprise me if the Chiefs run more than they did in Week One and if Patrick Mahomes doesn’t play the fourth quarter. The Chiefs are more talented at every offensive position, and probably also on the defensive line (and definitely so if Bosa doesn’t play). Expect a pretty boring game, and another victory.

Grant Tuttle: Chiefs 34, Chargers 14

Kansas City is going to have a tougher defensive front to play against this week. That being said, I would expect Andy Reid to screen the Chargers to death and rack up a ton of offensive yards this week. The Chargers are weaker on offense and will have a very hard time keeping up with the Chiefs. I would expect Reid to dial up some homerun balls for Tyreek Hill to test the defensive backs that are without Derwin James.

Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 38, Chargers 10

Patrick Mahomes didn’t play his best game in terms of passing yards, and the offense still had a great showing to open up the season. The Chargers offense lacks talent and has to face a ferocious Chiefs defense. On the off chance Mahomes has a bad game, he has Clyde Edwards-Helaire, plus the defense will come through with another big game.

Thomas Welte: Chiefs 38, Chargers 27

This seems to be the same old song and dance. On paper, the Chargers have some of the most talented players in the league and could match up well with Kansas City – except everyone is hurt. The Chiefs have their share of injuries, and the corners will be tested. The difference? Patrick Mahomes. I expect a big day from Mahomes and a Chiefs victory.