Chiefs (7-2) AT Chargers (5-4)
When: Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: NBC; 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chiefs by 7 points
Notable injury designations: Chargers: K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) is doubtful. WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) and WR Mike Williams (ankle) are questionable.
Chiefs: WR Juju Smith-Schuster (concussion) and CB Chris Lammons (concussion) are out. WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen/illness) was placed on IR.
What’s at stake? For the Chargers it is a chance to stay one game behind Kansas City and get closer to their first divisional title since 2009. For the Chiefs, they have a lot on the line with them currently being the first seed in the AFC, protect home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and win their seventh AFC West title in a row.
Who’s better? Kansas City no question. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is playing at an MVP level and the Chiefs defense playing well this season.
Matchup to watch: Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert vs Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo. Herbert has only one 300-yard and three touchdown performance this season and it was week two against the Chiefs. If Allen and Williams do return this could be the game Herbert reminds everyone why he is one the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.
Chargers win if: they held the ball for most of the game on offense and went back to their normal play. They ran the ball efficiently, got the ball to their playmakers, and aren’t scared to take risks. On defense, they got at least one take away while not letting Mahomes get comfortable.
Fantasy sleeper: Austin Ekeler. He was very quiet during last weekend’s game against the 49ers because of the way they guarded him. He should see more touches and more avenues to operate with some returns to the offense.
Prediction: These games always come down to the team that has the ball at the end of the game. Things haven’t been going right for the Chargers this season but this game could dictate were they go for the rest of it. Chargers put themselves back in playoff contention with a 31-28 victory over Kansas City.
