KC Chiefs vs. Chargers predictions: AA staff picks for Week 2

The Arrowhead Addict staff writers offer up their predictions for Sunday’s tilt between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) tonight on Thursday Night Football at 7:15pm Arrowhead Time, and though it is only September, it’s never too early to play a top contender in the division for an early lead in the AFC West. With the Broncos and Raiders both starting off their seasons 0-1, this game will determine the outright leader in the division, and perhaps more importantly, give the victor a 1.5-game lead over the loser.

The Chiefs have won 13 of their last 16 against the Chargers, who won a wild game at Arrowhead last season but lost the season rematch later in the year. The Chiefs are favored by 4 and there are a handful of notable players who are not expected to play:

• Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (out)
• Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (out)
• Chiefs guard Trey Smith (questionable)
• Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (out)
• Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson (questionable)

Those are some huge names, and the game may hinge on the depth and roster construction that each team’s respective administration has built around their star players.

Writer recap

Everyone on the staff predicted a Chiefs win last week, and the Chiefs followed through with a 44-21 victory. Farzin Vousoughian was the closest AA writer in point prediction, as he guessed a 45-23 Chiefs win. This week presents a much tougher choice with the Chargers coming to town. Here’s how the Arrowhead Addict staff predicts things will go down.

Patrick Allen (1-0)
My prediction from last week was correct. The Chiefs did go scorched earth on the Arizona Cardinals, surpassing even my wildest dreams with a 44-21 victory. This week won’t be so easy. The Chiefs are banged up and the Chargers are on a whole other tier than the Cardinals. I expect a shootout, and while this young KC defense will be tested, the game is at Arrowhead so I give the edge to the Chiefs.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 28

Matt Conner (1-0)
A guaranteed slugfest by two of the three best quarterbacks in the game today. The offense and defense both face greater tests than anything the Cardinals threw at them in Week 1, but the Chiefs also have an adaptive young roster that should grow with each contest. I predict a season split, which means the home team takes this one.
Chiefs 29, Chargers 27

Bransen Gibson (1-0)
Kansas City’s offense was rolling in Week 1, and I think that is a sign of good things to come. The Chiefs dominated in Arizona on both sides of the ball, and while LA will certainly be a tougher challenge, KC will be able to continue on that same trend. I think it will be a close encounter, but the Chiefs will prove to be too good and too well-rounded for LA.
Kansas City 31, Los Angeles 28

Lyle Graversen (1-0)
This game scares me. I’m scarred from watching the Chiefs lose to the Chargers in person last year, but KC’s new “spread the ball around” passing attack looked so good on Sunday I just can’t pick against them. Ultimately, I think the Chiefs squeak this out in a shootout.
Chiefs 37, Chargers 31

Zach Gunter (1-0)
This one will be much closer than last week’s game. The Chargers are a formidable opponent, especially with that defense. Which team can survive longer with injured players? We’ll find out. I just hope it doesn’t come down to overtime, like it did in their last meeting.
Chiefs 28, Chargers 25

Anthony Hatton
Kansas City has been game-planning for the Chargers long before the season started. Every time Mahomes and Herbert meet you can expect fireworks. Home field and coaching create the advantage in my opinion. KC hurt themselves with unusual turnovers at home last season. Therefore Andy Reid and Eric Beiniemy have surely been intentional to not make the same mistakes at GEHA again.
Chiefs 38, Chargers 31

Sterling Holmes (1-0)
In Week 1, it was evident that the Chiefs and the Bills are two steps ahead of everyone else in the conference, and while the Chargers are better than they have been in the past, they are still a class below KC and Buffalo. The loss of McDuffie is huge, but the young, athletic defense should do enough to handle the Chargers. Also, Patrick Mahomes’ MVP season is fully underway.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 23

Scott Loring (1-0)
The Chiefs have to contain running back Austin Ekeler in this game. If the Chiefs can keep him from going off, they’ll have an excellent chance of winning this game. The Chiefs will be able to focus on Mike Williams in the deep secondary, allowing them to be flexible in coverage. The Chiefs will abuse the Chargers in the short passing game, and come away with a comfortable win.
Chiefs 38, Chargers 24

Ellen Mathis (1-0)
I don’t love a short week, especially after a game that saw way too many injuries. However, this is the home opener and the Chiefs know how important this game is. This game will be characteristically close and characteristically thrilling. I expect a great duel between two incredible quarterbacks with the Chiefs getting the win in this one on a last second Justin Reid (or someone random off the street) field goal. A giant middle finger, if you will, to the Chargers kicking woes in recent years.
Chiefs 27, Chargers 25

Jacob Milham (1-0)
This game will be must-see football. While Kansas City dominated all three facets of the game against Arizona, this Week 2 game will not be so easy. Injuries on a short week will play a huge role, and Kansas City does have a middling 6-4 record on Thursday Night Football under head coach Andy Reid. The Chargers’ offensive performance against a depleted Las Vegas Raiders defense doesn’t inspire confidence. This will be a test for Kansas City’s young defense, but they are poised for success if Los Angeles doesn’t have Keenan Allen.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 20

Greg Morse (1-0)
The Broncos and Raiders have already proven to be inferior to the Chiefs after just one game. That leaves the Chiefs and the Chargers playing for an early leg up in the division. The Chiefs prove they still rule the West by dominating the Bolts, and Mahomes continues his MVP campaign with 5 more touchdowns. 10 touchdowns in 2 games, count’em.
Chiefs 38 Chargers 17

KC Proctor (1-0)
The Chiefs and Chargers rivalry will continue to grow with another intense matchup in primetime. Arrowhead will be rocking and the defense that just shut down Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will ride their high into multiple big moments. Over/under is 54.5, and I expect that to be over because Pat and Andy will be in their bag.
Chiefs 33, Chargers 24

Charles Robinson (1-0) 
The story will be the quarterback matchup, but this game will be won in the trenches. Both teams had strong showings on the offensive and defensive fronts in week 1, the key matchup tonight will be how KC’s offensive line handles the Chargers front four, particularly the pass rush combo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. If the Chargers learned anything from the Cardinals about how not to defend the Chiefs, they should avoid blitzing and rely on the front four to generate their pass rush. If the Chiefs can keep the 15 jersey clean, they should be just fine offensively. LA’s run game lacked much “umph” in Week 1 against Vegas, but look for them to get Austin Ekeler involved in multiple ways early to keep the young Chiefs defense guessing. This one should be fun.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 27

Byron Smith (1-0)
This is gonna be tight and electric. I have concerns about the Chiefs offensive line in this game, specifically a certain offensive tackle who turned down a contract that would have made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league only to go out Week 1 and be the weakest link. However, for me, I don’t trust the Chargers to win this game.
Chiefs 24 Chargers 21

Lucas Strozinsky (1-0)
This was a tough game to predict, as both teams have elite quarterbacks and we don’t yet know how good every team truly is. The injuries to Keenan Allen and Trent McDuffie will likely cancel each other out, while the Chiefs may potentially have some issues if Trey Smith can’t play. The Chiefs should win this game but Justin Herbert has that Patrick Mahomes trait of potentially stealing games on his own. In the end, I have more faith in the Chiefs’ ability to get points when they really need them and believe that will be the difference.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 26

David Thomas (1-0)
Without cornerback Trent McDuffie, that elevates 7th-round pick Jaylen Watson, who will likely get his chance to match up against 6’4″ wide receiver Mike Williams. Travis Kelce will also be facing off against safety Derwin James, the one player in this league to consistently give him trouble. The Chiefs will win this game if they continue to spread the ball, take what the defense gives them in the short and intermediate, run effectively, and put pressure on Justin Herbert like they did against Arizona.
Chiefs 35, Chargers 28

Kelly Thompson (1-0)
The Chiefs demolition of the Arizona Cardinals was not an aberration;  instead it will be standard operating procedure for 2022. The Chargers played well against Las Vegas in Week 1, but failed to show the killer instinct necessary to dethrone the defending AFC West Champions – or to win any game of substance, frankly.  It’s the Home Opener, it’s Arrowhead Stadium, it’s Patrick Mahomes, it’s division rivals… oh yeah, and road teams on Thursday Night Football coming off a win are just 6-18 since December 2016.
Chiefs 44, Chargers 31

Grant Tuttle (1-0)
The Chiefs are a little banged up in Week 2, but look for them to come out swinging on offense yet again. While the Chargers will make plays, Mahomes and company will ultimately overwhelm the Charger defense enough to narrowly escape with a win.
Chiefs 31, Chargers 28

Farzin Vousoughian (1-0)
The Chiefs are coming off a strong Week 1 showing after speculation from some that the offense would struggle early in the season. Don’t be surprised if Patrick Mahomes throws 4+ touchdowns again in this game. I can see Kansas City’s pass rush stepping up in the second half to pull away from the Chargers.
Chiefs 38, Chargers, 27