Following week one, there have been a lot of overreactions. But on Thursday Night, one team will remain undefeated, and the other will go away 1-1. After an early matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs. This matchup may align to be the best TNF this season. That being due to the ending of the matchup between these teams last December. In that game, the Chargers had a 28-21 lead with 2:19 left to play, and Patrick Mahomes showed why he is a Perennial MVP Candidate, driving down the field 75 yards in one minute.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers are looking to rebound after a heart-breaking season that came within one game of them making the playoffs. Nonetheless, Justin Herbert has another season under his belt, and more to play for. In week 1 against the Raiders, Herbert went 26/34 with 279 yards and three touchdowns. Four of those passes went to Elite playmaker Keenan Allen for 66 yards. Though he may be out on Thursday, and if so it will test the strength of the LA receiving corps. They should be in good hands with Mike Williams due for more passes but they will need either DeAndre Carter, Joshua Palmer, or Jalen Guyton to step up.
The Chargers seemed to be working the kinks out on the defensive side of the ball, but still showed that they will be a legit defense. There are quite a few new pieces with additions of Khalil Mack, Kyle Van Noy, Bryce Callahan, Morgan Fox, Austin Johnson, and Otito Ogbonnia. So it may take them some time to work together even though they only allowed the Las Vegas Raiders to score 19 points.
Chargers Keys to the game:
- Find the endzone – As easy as this sounds, it may be a bit difficult with star playmaker Keenan Allen. Last season he caught 106/157 passes for 1138 yards. If he is not able to go, it’ll be a big loss for the Chargers offense. Herbert will have to connect with another receiver.
- Get Joey Bosa more involved – Last week against the Raiders, Khalil Mack was explosive with three sacks on Derek Carr. If he can stay healthy all year, he should be able to provide that all year. But if the Chargers can get both him and Bosa going this defense could be deadly for the opposing quarterbacks. In week one, Bosa had 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs are looking to revenge themselves after the 2021 Conference Championship slip away. Though it was a hard-fought game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chiefs fell 27-24. However, the Cheifs look like they have put that past them. Patrick Mahomes went 30/39 with 360 yards and 5 TDs in week one as he slung the Cheifs past the Cardinals 44-21. Much like last season, the Cheifs offense looks legit, especially with the additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Much like the Chargers’ defense, the Cheifs’ defense looked like they could be legit after making a few key additions. In the offseason, they added Carlos Dunlap, Justin Reid, and Deon Bush. All who had more than two tackles in week one.
Chiefs Keys to the game:
- Limit the Fumbles – Although they won by a big margin, the Chiefs were a little sloppy with the ball in week one. Fumbling it five times, against a tougher defense that’s not going to fly. You have to control that pigskin more.
- Get Dunlap more involved – He has been one of the most efficient Defensive Ends in the game in his time, and in week one he only had 4 tackles, 1 of which was a sack.
How to Watch:
With Thursday Night games now on Amazon, this may be tricky. For anyone outside the exclusive areas, you either have to get Prime Video or live stream the game. However you can watch it, the Chargers vs. Chiefs on Thursday should be a battle.
Kickoff: Thursday, Sept. 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: Amazon Prime Video (available on TV in local markets)
Live Stream:fuboTV only available in KC and LA markets)
Spread: Chiefs -3.5
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