Week 4 Preview, Score Predictions

The Kansas City Chiefs have their second straight road game on Sunday, with Week 4 bringing a matchup against a bitter AFC West rival.

Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers, 2-1 this season, await the reigning Super Bowl champions. While Kansas City recently had a clear lead in the series against Los Angeles, a new era of football is beginning in California. On the other hand, injuries and a suspension for Derwin James could make the situation challenging for the home team.

How will the game develop? The Kansas City Chiefs via SI Crew makes its predictions for Week 4 of the 2024-25 season.

Joshua Brisco: The Chiefs are a much better (and healthier) football team than the Chargers. Even as a long-time supporter of the Jim Harbaugh/Justin Herbert duo, I’m selling LA stocks in the short term. The 2-1 Chargers have victories over the Carolina Panthers and the team that lost to the Panthers (the Las Vegas Raiders). They are decimated by injuries, and even if Herbert is able to play against Kansas City, he will be dealing with a high ankle sprain behind a patchwork offensive line. Travis Kelce is in a perfect position to get back on track, especially while Derwin James is suspended, and I would be shocked if KC lost this game.

Still, I can’t shake the thought that this is a low-scoring Carson Steele show, with the Chiefs taking an early lead and leaving LA without putting much on tape. Although I made somewhat serious predictions of 13-10 over the course of the week, I think KC will still score a few points without James or Joey Bosa on the field, but I’m not expecting any massive fireworks on the Chiefs’ business trip.

Prediction: Chiefs 20, Chargers 10

Jordan Foote: Until proven otherwise, I remain confident that the Chiefs will do just enough to get by in non-playoff games. This weekend should be no different, and the Chargers will give them plenty of room for error anyway. Much like Brisco, I think Harbaugh and Herbert will be a winning pair down the line. With so many injuries piling up and the offense not being strong enough stillHowever, it’s hard not to root for the Chiefs here. They are a more complete and healthy team at this point (which is saying a lot). Look for Kelce to score his first touchdown of the season in Week 4.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17

Zack Eisen: The Chiefs travel to Los Angeles to take on a struggling Chargers team. They will be missing their starting tackles and two of their top three defensive players. Additionally, their starting quarterback is injured. It sets up a comfortable victory for the Chiefs. However, they haven’t played like that in the last two seasons. It would be nice for Kansas City to get the offense on the right track. It starts with Patrick Mahomes, who wasn’t himself at the start of the year. This game could be a chance for him to get himself and the rest of the offense back on track. The addition of Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce would help boost the unit’s confidence.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17

Mark Van Sickle: The Chargers are doing poorly with several key players missing the game or not playing at full strength. This seems like a good game for Kelce to break out. This is what we’ve all been waiting for! I also think this is the day Carson Steele gets his first touchdown as a Chief in the regular season. The defense should be able to stifle Herbert. The Chiefs and Chargers usually play close games, but with everything working out against the Chargers this week, I have to beat the Chiefs by double digits.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Chargers 17

Read more: Travis Kelce explains mindset amid lack of targets and addresses offense