KC Chiefs vs. Chargers: AA writers make their predictions for Week 3

It’s going to be a very long week ahead for either the K.C. Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers,

As both teams prepare to face off against one another on Sunday afternoon, the reality is that one will move on with an important divisional win. The other will sit and lick their wounds in the basement of the AFC West knowing every single division rival is already ahead of them by one or potentially even two games.

Both the Chiefs and Chargers are fresh off of losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. Both teams feature high-powered offenses with great young quarterbacks, but each also features significant questions early in the year. For the Chargers, a new head coach in Brandon Staley is settling in and hoping for early division success. For the Chiefs, a porous defense has to come together and improve.

As we head into Sunday’s game, we surveyed our writers to see what they think will happen.

Max Cashio

This feels like a must-win game for Kansas City if they want to avoid their first 1-2 start since 2015. Chiefs win in a dogfight against a division rival. Chiefs 38, Chargers 31 

Matt Conner

The Chiefs are a single miscue away from being 2-0, but now they’re armed with the edge that comes with being embarrassed in primetime. Either there are cracks in the foundation or the Chiefs needed a wake-up call. I’m going with the latter. Chiefs 33, Chargers 20

Bransen Gibson

Last week’s loss still stings, but now the Chiefs have a shot at redemption. The Chargers are good, but I expect the Chiefs to bounce back and make a statement with their best performance of the season. Chiefs 31, Chargers 20

Lyle Graversen

The Chargers pose a real threat to the Chiefs if KC’s defense continues to struggle. While Justin Herbert will challenge the pass coverage more than Cleveland and Baltimore did. I still can’t pick him to out duel Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead, but it will be close. Chiefs 37, Chargers 34

Jake Johnson

After a bitter showing in Week 2, both the coaching staff and the players should be ready to put out a performance that silences doubters around the league. Chiefs 34, Chargers 27

Jake Kokoris

The defense struggles to contain Herbert and Ekeler, but Mahomes and the offense puts together a near perfect performance. Chiefs stave off a late Chargers rally to prevail. Chiefs 31, Chargers 30

Scott Loring

The Chiefs clearly have some loose screws and need to correct some things on both sides of the ball. Divisional games are always a battle, unless it’s the Broncos. This one gets settled in overtime. Chargers 30, Chiefs 27

Ellen Mathis

Chiefs are back with a vengeance. They were embarrassed on national television and won’t let it happen again. I would not want to be the Chargers this weekend. Chiefs 31, Chargers 17

Evan Mead

It’ll be a close game. With that being said, it won’t be high scoring due to it being a division game. Chiefs walk away with the win. Chiefs 24, Chargers 21

Farzin Vousoughian

This will be a high scoring game and it could come down to who has the ball last. Although the Chargers average 3.9 yards per carry and have a strong passing game, look for them to utilize the running game against the Chiefs. However, it’s hard to pick against Mahomes and the Chiefs at home. Chiefs 38, Chargers 35