Kansas City Chiefs @ L.A. Chargers

Location

ROKiT Field at StubHub Center

Time

Sunday 9th Sept
4:05pm ET
9:05pm UK

Coverage

KCTV (Ch. 5)

Game Pass
https://www.nflgamepass.com/en

Chiefs Radio Network
http://www.kcchiefsradio.com/listen-live/

Team records

Chargers 0-0
Chiefs 0-0

Last 3 games

Dec 16th 2017 – Chargers 13 @ Chiefs 30
Sept 24th 2017 – Chiefs 24 @ Chargers 10
Jan 1st 2017 – Chiefs 37 @ Chargers 27

The story so far

A big congratulations to the Chargers who have apparently wrapped up the Division before week 1 has started. At least if you believe the pundits that is. Ignore the fact that they haven’t beaten us for 1716 days and the last time they did it was our backups against their starters playing for a playoff place. And they needed overtime to do it. Or that we’ve outscored them 209 – 110 in the meantime. Sure they have a very strong roster on paper. Unfortunately paper seems to be what a lot of their team is made of as injury after injury piles up. Losing Hunter Henry is big for them, they’ve only kept 2 TEs on the roster as of Monday and one of them is about 150 years old. Their D looks legit, Mahomes and co will have their work cut out here, although if Bosa isn’t fit to play then that will be a huge boost for the Chiefs.

 

Head to head with the Chiefs

Chiefs lead 66-55-1

Team leaders

Nobody yet!

One to watch

Sammy Watkins

Only one catch in preseason, still looking to gel with Mahomes, if he performs well this offence goes to a whole new level of potential. You can’t double Hill, Kelce and Watkins. If I was in opposition I’d be looking to stop Kelce first and then Hill which should free up a favourable match up for Watkins. Can the Chiefs take advantage?

Key matchup

Keenan Allen v Kendall Fuller

After the Chiefs traded away Marcus Peters in a somewhat divisive decision, they acquired Kendall Fuller in the trade of Alex Smith to Washington. Fuller is going to need to hit the ground running to deal with Keenan Allen who gave Peters the run around on more than one occasion. The Chiefs are probably going to have to keep the Chargers under 25 points to win this one, to do that they are going to have to limit the effectiveness of the Chargers No 1 wideout.

 

Injuries

 

What they said

Phillip Rivers
“There are certain things you’re not sure how they’re going to be and how they’re going to match up just because we’re not sure who is going to be in there in certain situations,” he said. “All-in-all it’s a Bob Sutton-coached defense, and it’s a solid group. They play that scheme very well, and we know what to expect on Sunday. Like I’ve always told you, I never overreact on our preseason — good or bad. I know there’s been some negative reaction to their preseason defensively, but I don’t buy that. We know what we’ll get. We’ll get Kansas City’s best on Sunday.”

What we said

Andy Reid
“You could argue that Bosa and Ingram are one of the best combinations in the league. It was seen last year with their production and looks like they picked right back up with it in the preseason. Ninety-nine (Bosa) hasn’t played a ton, but the other guy (Ingram) has. They are fast and aggressive. It’s a great challenge. You wouldn’t want anything else on the first game. What a great opportunity. Good football team and those two are good football players.”
Odds

Chargers -3.5
Total points over/under 48

My Bet of the week – Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5) & Over (47.5) points        12/5