Chargers vs. Chiefs: Five Storylines to Watch in the Rematch
The Los Angeles Chargers kicked off their 2025 campaign with a statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil. But as the regular season winds down, these two AFC West rivals find themselves in very different places - both in terms of health and postseason trajectory. With their rematch looming, here are five key storylines to watch as the Chargers look to sweep the season series.
1. Can the Chargers Really Sweep the Chiefs?
Let’s rewind to Week 1. Justin Herbert was healthy, slinging it for over 300 yards, three touchdowns, no picks, and only three sacks.
The Chargers’ offense was clicking, and they walked away with a win over the defending champs. That performance feels like a distant memory now.
Since then, the Chargers have been gutted by injuries. Herbert’s since had surgery on his non-throwing hand.
Running back Najee Harris is done for the year with a torn ACL. Rookie Joe Alt, who was anchoring the offensive line at left tackle, is also out with a season-ending ankle injury.
The offense that took the field in Week 1 isn’t the same group that will line up this weekend.
Still, Monday night’s gritty win over the Eagles showed there’s some fight left in this Chargers squad. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. And if they can pull off another upset against Kansas City, it’ll be more than just a season sweep - it’ll be a statement that this team, despite the setbacks, is still in the fight.
2. Can the Offensive Line Protect Herbert?
The Chargers' offensive line is hanging on by a thread - and the Chiefs’ defensive front is the last group you want to face in that situation.
Chris Jones is heating up at just the right time. He posted his highest pass rush grade of the season (92.4 via PFF) last Sunday against Houston, with three QB hits and a sack.
He’s currently leading all defensive tackles in ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate metric, beating his blocker within 2.5 seconds nearly 20% of the time. That’s elite territory.
On the edge, George Karlaftis leads the team in sacks and is on pace to top his 2024 total in quarterback hurries. And let’s not forget Drue Tranquill - the former Charger had both of his sacks this season in that Week 1 matchup. You know he’ll be looking to repeat that performance.
The Chargers’ line is already patchwork. Jamaree Salyer has stepped in at left tackle and held his own, but right tackle Trey Pipkins III exited the Eagles game with an ankle injury and hasn’t practiced this week. If he can’t go, the line gets even thinner.
Herbert was sacked a career-high seven times on Monday night. He was bloodied, battered, and took more hits than you want your franchise QB absorbing - especially with a surgically repaired hand. If the Chargers can’t give him better protection this Sunday, it could be a long, painful afternoon.
3. Can the Chargers Defense Contain Mahomes?
The Chargers defense showed some serious teeth on Monday night. They rattled Jalen Hurts into a 52.5% completion rate - his second-lowest of the season - and picked him off four times, a new career high for the Eagles QB.
But now comes Patrick Mahomes, who presents a whole different challenge. Like Hurts, Mahomes can extend plays with his legs. But unlike most quarterbacks, he’s also a magician when the play breaks down.
The Chiefs' receivers had five drops against the Texans last week, which means Mahomes may be tempted to take matters into his own hands - and feet - if connections with his playmakers continue to falter.
That’s where the Chargers’ pass rush comes in. Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh, and Tuli Tuipulotu need to keep the heat coming.
Oweh picked up a sack on Hurts, while Tuipulotu was disruptive all night, both in the pass rush and against the run. If they can replicate that energy and discipline, they’ve got a shot at slowing Mahomes down.
But as we’ve seen time and again, even when Mahomes looks cornered, he finds a way to escape.
4. Who Wins the Turnover Battle?
The Chargers' defense was opportunistic against the Eagles - and that might be putting it lightly. They were ball hawks from start to finish.
Donte Jackson and Cam Hart both came away with picks, with Hart’s being the first of his career. Hart also tipped a pass that led to a game-sealing overtime interception by Tony Jefferson.
Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand forced a turnover of his own, and safety R.J. Mickens nearly added to the total.
This kind of defensive playmaking is exactly what the Chargers need to bring into their rematch with Kansas City. If the Chiefs’ offense continues to struggle with drops and timing issues - as they did last week - there will be chances to flip the field and steal possessions.
Turnovers are often the difference in close games. And if the Chargers can win that battle again, they’ll give themselves a real shot at pulling off the upset.
5. Can the Chargers Find the End Zone?
The Chargers opened Monday night with a bang - a 60-yard reception by Kimani Vidal and a touchdown run by Omarion Hampton. But that was it for touchdowns. The rest of the game belonged to kicker Cameron Dicker, who stayed perfect to keep the scoreboard moving.
Herbert was under constant pressure, and his receivers couldn’t get much separation. Ladd McConkey, one of Herbert’s go-to targets, saw five passes come his way but only managed one catch. The Eagles’ defense made sure nothing came easy - and the Chiefs are built to do the same.
Drue Tranquill is coming off his best tackling performance of the season, and linebacker Nick Bolton added 12 tackles of his own last week. This Kansas City defense doesn’t give up much, especially in the red zone.
So the question becomes: Can Herbert and the offense finish drives? Settling for field goals won’t cut it against Mahomes. The Chargers will need to find ways to get their playmakers involved early and often - and more importantly, they’ll need to punch it in when they get close.
Final Thought
The Chargers are limping into this rematch, but they’re not backing down. Monday night showed they can still scrap with the best of them. If they can protect Herbert, force Mahomes into mistakes, and find the end zone more than once, they’ve got a shot to do something they haven’t done in years - sweep the Chiefs.
It won’t be easy. But in a season full of twists, this matchup might just deliver another surprise.