Chris Jones
The Chiefs had Jones the first time these clubs played but the scenario was hardly the same. Even then, Jones was struggling with injury and the line was empty around him as Frank Clark was not available, Jarran Reed was adjusting, and Melvin Ingram was not yet with the team.
This week was supposed to be a reckoning of sorts for Jones against the Chargers. Not that there’s anything personal here, but Jones has simply been his familiar, dominant self in recent weeks, especially in consecutive wins over AFC West rivals like the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. Ask Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr what it’s like to take on Chris Jones recently and it’s easy to think about how much Jones will be missed in the interior against the Chargers.
Jones leads the Chiefs in sacks with 7 and 29 pressures and he’s also deflected 5 passes this season at the line, showing he’s a disruptive presence in more ways than most fans even realize. Without him, Frank Clark is really going to need to lead the rushing attack for the Chiefs up front or Herbert could have a field day.