The Chargers have a chance to stay undefeated in the AFC West and essentially knock Kansas City out of the AFC playoff picture while doing it.
Here’s what Los Angeles has to do on defense to come away with a win.
Advertisement
Win in man coverage
The Chiefs have struggled against man coverage all season due to their lack of a premier separator, while the Chargers have played their two highest rates of man in their last two games. Cornerback Cam Hart, in particular, has played exceptionally well in those contests while being utilized in matchups against Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown. Where Hart travels – Rashee Rice or Travis Kelce seem most likely – could define how Sunday’s game goes.
Stuff under center runs
Kansas City has struggled to run the ball this season, but it remains relatively efficient on runs under center. However, the Chiefs have shown they are more than willing to abandon the run game if it’s not working early on, which is part of the reason Patrick Mahomes has been the team’s leading rusher 4 times this season. If the Chargers can buckle down in the first 20 minutes of the game, they can dictate what personnel is on the field for both teams for the final 40 minutes.
Advertisement
Feast on backup tackles
With Josh Simmons on injured reserve and Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris unlikely to play, Kansas City will likely turn to Esa Pole at left tackle and Jaylon Moore on the right side on Sunday. Pole, an undrafted rookie from Washington State, performed admirably last week against Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter. The Chargers have a trio of pass rushers – Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Odafe Oweh – who are all playing well, however, and they could force Mahomes into some quicker throws or add to the 29 sacks (second-most in his career) he’s already taken this season.
Continue getting good safety play
Chargers safety Elijah Molden will likely miss Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, which will press rookie RJ Mickens and veteran Tony Jefferson into more action, with Derwin James Jr. potentially playing more true safety. James is typically deployed as the matchup man against Kelce, however, so Mickens and Jefferson will probably get plenty of burn. Both have played well in recent weeks in smaller roles – Jefferson has two interceptions in the last two weeks and has doubled his career total this season, while Mickens is taking better angles in the run game after a rocky game against the Dolphins in Week 6.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers’ defensive keys to victory against the Chiefs
