The Kansas City Chiefs have two things going for them when it comes to their Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Neither factor is anything the team can take credit for.
First, the Chargers are coming off a shorter week, having played against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. If any opponent here is going to be a bit more fatigued than the other, it's the Bolts. Second, the weather is going to be frightfully cold at Arrowhead, which means a team flying in from Southern California might have difficulties adjusting to the temps.
That said, the Chiefs are 6-7 and looking up at the Chargers in the standings for a reason, which is why very few people in K.C. are actually believers that they're going to pull off a victory in a must-win scenario at this stage, having dropped the ball (literally) in previous attempts to turn their season around.
Cold weather and a short week give the Kansas City Chiefs a shot, but our writers are split on whether they can keep their season alive.
What should we think of this matchup? Our predictions are in for Week 15 as the Chargers hope to put the Chiefs away for the second time this season, following a Week 1 triumph in Brazil to start the season. Our writers have made their picks below.
Christian Ainsworth
The tank for Jeremiyah Love officially begins. After a soul-crushing loss to the Texans, this team looks like it’s already counting down the days until the offseason. Chargers 27, Chiefs 20
Price Carter
While the Chiefs certainly have not done anything to instill confidence to win big games, there are many things working in their favor this week. The Chargers are coming off a short week with overtime on Monday night football. They are a west coast team playing a morning game where the expected high is 26 degrees. Herbert didn't exactly play well, which is totally understandable after having hand surgery and playing with a horrid offensive line. I don't think the Chiefs will do anything to really change our long-term opinions on them, but I think they can do enough here to win against a dinged-up Chargers team. Chiefs 20, Chargers 13
Matt Conner
I'm all in on the Chiefs until they're mathematically eliminated, even if that puts me in the minority at this point. It feels like the silly mistakes can't be happening, right? If anything, Justin Herbert's wrist injury makes me think K.C. might be able to cobble a win together. Chiefs 24, Chargers 22
Bransen Gibson
Despite four losses in their last five games, there is still a part of me that believes Kansas City can turn things around. I can't bring myself to tip against Patrick frickin' Mahomes. The Chiefs have been playing below their level all season. On Sunday, for the first time in more than a month, I think they'll play close to their ceiling. Chiefs 27, Chargers 23
Braden Holocek
Kansas City has minimal odds to make the playoffs, barring some wacky results. It could lead to the Chiefs throwing everything at the wall. But with how this roster has struggled to put it together, that idea may not matter against a Chargers team that has really come into its own. LA has a diverse defensive scheme. It is also hard to argue that many quarterbacks are playing as well as Justin Herbert has recently. With the Chargers looking to stick in the playoff race, they find a way to sweep the Chiefs in 2025. Chargers 27, Chiefs 20
Scott Loring
This game features two teams headed in opposite directions. The Chiefs have an opportunity to play spoiler with the playoff-hopeful Chargers, and with a lot less pressure to perform, KC will find some of the moxie that has been missing this season. Playing both of the 2024 Super Bowl teams in 7 days proves to be a little too much for the Chargers, who struggle to move the ball vs. KC’s proud defense. Chiefs 22, Chargers 13
Shawn O'Brate
Well, the Chiefs need this win more than they need anything. But they also needed a win last week…and the week before…but at least Reid and Spags and Mahomes know this Chargers team better than they know most teams. With that said, the Chargers are coming in hot with 5 of their last 6 games being huge victories in one way or another. Mahomes is going to come out slinging the ball and probably on the run for most of the game. Hopefully, dudes like Thornton and Hollywood can actually get the ball this time and put a big score up early so they don’t have to play from behind as they have for most of this season. Chiefs 27, Chargers 24
Charles Robinson
What's it matter if the Chiefs win? Well, to start, if the team wants to hang on to the slim hopes they have of making the postseason, there is no margin for error. At the bare minimum, they have the opportunity to rain on a division rival's parade and try to keep the Chargers out of the postseason as well. Temps are going to top out around 23 degrees on Sunday in Kansas City - Justin Herbert and the SoCal Chargers are in for a rude awakening. Edward Smith went down with his ship, and so will I. Chiefs 24, Chargers 22
Lucas Strozinsky
The season is over. No better way to put it. On regards to this game, they'll probably win since the Chargers are coming off a short week and have a massively injured OL. It's probably better for the team long-term to lose this game, which means they'll probably win Chiefs 23, Chargers 20