A matchup with the 4-0 Chiefs is hardly the kind of spot most teams circle for a reset, especially when the Chargers are sitting at 0-5 and coming off another frustrating loss. Kansas City is rested after a bye, and Los Angeles heads into Arrowhead as an 8.5-point underdog. Still, there are a handful of reasons the Chargers can at least feel like they’ve got a path to keeping this one tight.
Start up front, where Travis Burke gave the Chargers something to build on last week against the Broncos. The fourth-round pick stepped in for Rashawn Slater and handled his first start as a Day 3 rookie with surprising poise.
Pro Football Focus credited him with an 84.2 run-blocking grade, which was best in the game. He did give up three pressures and a sack, but the overall showing stood out as a promising follow-up to what he’d already flashed in the preseason.
Brian Baldinger of NFL Network also had praise for Burke, and with Slater on injured reserve and Joe Alt out with a neck injury, Burke isn’t going anywhere from the starting lineup.
The Chargers’ receiving group should also look a little healthier. After being stretched thin last week, Los Angeles is set to get Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston back.
That matters, especially with the Chiefs dealing with their own issues at receiver. Tyquan Thornton broke his ankle in Week 4, Rashee Rice is out, and Kansas City is left with Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, and Nikko Remigio in that room against a Chargers defense that will be looking to capitalize.
Los Angeles also has a real shot to make life difficult on Kenneth Walker. The Chiefs’ offseason addition has been one of the season’s big stories, and his production has already helped Kansas City’s offense look like a top-ten unit again.
Walker has topped 170 rushing yards in two of his four games with the Chiefs, is averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and has put up 537 total yards with four touchdowns on the season. Even so, the Chargers have done solid work against the run, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and ranking sixth in EPA/rush allowed.
Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Khalil Mack, and Tuli Tuipulotu have all helped set that tone up front.
Then there’s the bye-week angle. Andy Reid’s Chiefs have not been automatic after time off, at least against the spread.
According to Sports Illustrated, Kansas City is 8-11 ATS, including playoff games, following a bye. That doesn’t make this some easy spot for Los Angeles, but if the Chargers can stay within the number, they’d turn this into a one-possession game - and that at least opens the door for a late swing, a stolen possession, or one scoring chance that changes everything.
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Chargers Head Into Chiefs Showdown With Their Season Already Feeling Urgent
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Chargers First Win Bid May Hinge On One Unexpected Defender
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Tarts value in this one is tied to the run game and to what happens at the point of attack against Kansas Citys interior front. If he can clog things up inside, the Chargers may be able to steer the Chiefs into more passing situations than they want, which is exactly the sort of path a struggling defense needs when every possession matters. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Near A Breaking Point As Week 7 Decision Looms
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Rapoport also reported that teams have inquired about Khalil Mack, a sign that other clubs are watching closely as the Chargers head toward a Week 7 bye that could become a natural decision point. The idea of major roster turnover is still only a possibility, not a conclusion, but if the losing streak keeps stretching on, this is the stretch where the Chargers could be forced to decide whether to stay patient or start reshaping the roster. [Read more 🡒]