KC Chiefs: The four toughest games remaining on the schedule

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers greets quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs at midfield after the Packers defeated the Chiefs 31-24 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers greets quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs at midfield after the Packers defeated the Chiefs 31-24 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 03: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 03: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Week 15 @ Los Angeles Chargers

It’s impossible to know at this point how the last few weeks of a longer-than-ever regular season is going to take shape, so it’s quite possible that this game becomes even more important than we already think. There’s also a slim chance that the last week or two (or in this case, three) are rendered meaningless because the Chiefs win and everybody else somehow fades away like a Jersey town in a Springsteen song.

By the time these teams face off again, for the second and final matchup of the 2021 season, it should look quite different than the first time around. Consider how much young players will have grown with another 11 weeks of NFL games between them. One contest took place just as the new season was rounding into form; the latter will take place as the season is winding down. Rookies will gain experience. Developmental players will step up. Injuries will take their toll.

By this time, there’s also good reason to believe that Justin Herbert will be that much more dangerous with the experience he’s gaining against opposing defenses and how his new coaches are learning how to utilize his talents best.

Here’s the bottom line: The Chargers always play the Chiefs tougher than most rivals and here’s a late-season ticket worth watching for all these reasons and more.