Chiefs Look to Recharge

By Mike Rifkin

For the first time in his career Patrick Mahomes is coming off a loss in September. The Chiefs lost to the Ravens 36-35. Mahomes threw for 343 three touchdowns and an interception. Through two games Mahomes has thrown for 680 yards six touchdowns and an interception. The Chiefs will look to rebound against division rival Los Angeles Chargers. 

Last season the Chiefs and Chargers split their two meetings. The Chiefs won in Los Angeles in week 2 23-20 in overtime. The Chargers won at Arrowhead in week 17 as the Chiefs had rested their starters because they had clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. In five games against the Chargers Patrick Mahomes has a 61.2 completion percentage with 1,157 yards, which is an average of 231.4 yards per game 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. Tight End Travis Kelce has 60 catches for 583 yards and three touchdowns vs Chargers. Tyreek Hill is looking to rebound after a tough game against the Ravens where he had three catches for 14 yards. In nine career games against the Chargers Hill has scored eight touchdowns. 

The Chargers are also looking to bounce back after losing last Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys 20-17. Los Angeles is led by second year quarterback Justin Herbert, who in two games against the Chiefs last season completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 613 yards averaging 306.5 per game four touchdowns and an interception. Star receiver Keenan Allen averages 73.3 yards per game against the Chiefs with three touchdowns in 11 games played. On the other side Mike Williams has four touchdowns in seven career games against Kansas City. 

Last week in Baltimore Steve Spagnuolo’s defense had a hard time stopping the run, as the Ravens rushed for 251 yards including 107 from Lamar Jackson. The Chargers as a team have run for 185 yards so far. As great as Justin Herbert’s arm is, the plan should be to run the ball against this defense and keep Mahomes off the field. Throw records out the door when division rivals meet because anything can happen.