Chiefs-Chargers: 5 things to watch in Week 4

At the start of Week 4 of the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) are in first place in the AFC West. On Sunday, they play the second-place team – the (2-1) Los Angeles Chargers – at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

Even though it’s Kansas City’s first division game of the 2024 season, it may not feel as intense as it should. Four cornerstones were represented in the Chargers’ most recent injury report:

• Left tackle Rashawn Slater: Out of
• Edge rusher Joey Bosa: Out of
• Quarterback Justin Herbert: Questionable after being limited by an ankle injury during this week’s practice
• Right Tackle Joe Alt: Questionable after being unable to take part in training this week due to a knee injury

Additionally, safety Derwin James was suspended for this week’s match after incurring an unnecessary roughness penalty in last week’s game – the seventh of his career.

The Chiefs won’t be whole either. Defensive end Mike Danna injured his calf in practice this week and will not play. It’s the team’s second game without running back Isiah Pacheco – and wide receiver Hollywood Brown has missed all games this season.

However, there is no injury report that will stop new Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh from pulling off an upset in his first try with the Chiefs.

Here are five things to keep in mind while playing:

1. Creating more explosive plays

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For the most part this season, the Chiefs offense has managed to sustain drives and stay ahead. The unit has the league’s highest rushing success rate (56.5%) and has suffered the fourth-fewest third downs.

But the offense has been sluggish in completing drives, whether by giving the ball away (the Chiefs have the fourth-highest rate of drives that end in turnovers) or by waiting in the red zone: the team leads in touchdowns in the red zone in 22nd place.

This can be remedied by more explosive plays – on the ground and in the air. The backfield has produced just two runs of 10 or more yards this season (both by Pacheco). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the lowest average depth of target in the NFL (5.2 yards).

The goal is to create more big plays against a vulnerable defense — especially compared to the experienced, instinctive back ends Kansas City has faced over the past two weeks.

2. Move the Chargers to third place

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If it seems like the Chiefs’ pass rush has remained quiet this season, it’s because they’ve had limited opportunities to pin their ears and chase sacks. The defense has faced the seventh-fewest third-down passing plays this season. Four of the unit’s six sacks came on third down.

It starts on first down and second down, when Los Angeles tests Kansas City’s run defense: The Chargers have the fourth-highest run rate (55.5%). Running back JK Dobbins will play an important role, especially in the event of possible absences due to injuries; He has the third-most rushing yards in the league, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

The Chiefs managed to slow down the opponent’s primary ball carrier; You should feel comfortable doing this in this game too. If Kansas City can generate more obvious passes, the team will have more chances to attack the Chargers’ damaged pass protection.

3. A dominant Kansas City pass defense

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The first step will be to force more sharing. But then the Chiefs will have to suffocate the Chargers in situations where Kansas City should always have a strong advantage.

The injuries at offensive tackle give pass rushers Chris Jones and George Karlaftis a chance to finish off the edge, while Danna’s injury should allow second-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah a longer opportunity. Last Sunday he received the first full sack of his career – and forced a fumble in the process.

The pressure could be even greater with backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke playing — especially in the secondary. Heinicke has thrown 28 interceptions in 29 career starts. Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie is still looking for his first career pick.

4. Travis Kelce’s breakout game

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The Chiefs’ first three opponents deserve credit for formulating (and executing) solid plans to take Travis Kelce out of the game. However, it doesn’t look like the Chargers will have the coverage talent necessary to continue that trend.

The hurting unit will want to force Kansas City to gain every downfield yard. That means the depleted safeties will be focused on keeping wide receiver Xavier Worthy from beating them deep — and containing wide receiver Rashee Rice after the catch.

So this feels like a game where Kelce takes advantage of James’ absence and serves as a safety valve for Mahomes under center again. Los Angeles’ defense has allowed the fourth-most receptions to tight ends this season.

5. The return of Kareem Hunt

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Nearly six years after he last played for the Chiefs, it appears Hunt will begin his path to redemption on Sunday; He was added to the 53-man roster this week.

He is joined in the backfield by running backs Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele, giving the Chiefs a strong trio of rushers. 87 of Steele’s 99 rushing yards this season came after contact. Perine forced three missed tackles on nine touches in Week 3.

Last season, Hunt was used as a red zone back for the Cleveland Browns. He scored nine touchdowns, the most of his career – all inside the 20-yard line; six came in goal-to-go situations.

He also caught a touchdown pass in Cleveland’s playoff game. That’s an underrated part of what Hunt can bring to the table. It will be fascinating to watch him with the ball in his hand, be it the delivery or the dump-off into the flat.