Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers: Preview, prediction and offers

The AFC West guarantees to be one of the vital aggressive divisions within the NFL this yr, and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ battle to take care of their stranglehold on it begins within the unfamiliar surrounds of Corinthians Enviornment in São Paulo.

Each the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers have made the lengthy journey south for the second regular-season sport to be held in Brazil, following the conflict between the Philadelphia Eagles and Inexperienced Bay Packers final season.

For the Chiefs, it’s a substantial early check as they give the impression of being to rebound from their blowout loss to the Eagles in Tremendous Bowl 59, which noticed their goals of a three-peat emphatically dashed.

The Chargers are the designated dwelling crew, and they’re going to hoping to take one other step ahead this season after Jim Harbaugh led them again to the playoffs in his first yr as head coach in 2024.

A Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans illustrated the progress nonetheless required for the Chargers to make the soar from playoff contender to the elite, and their strikes within the offseason had been targeted on placing star quarterback Justin Herbert in a greater place to take them to new heights.

The inside offensive line was revamped with the additions of middle Bradley Bozeman and guard Mekhi Becton, who helped Philadelphia defeat the Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl, whereas their first two picks within the draft had been spent on operating again Omarion Hampton and large receiver Tre Harris.

Hampton’s debut specifically will likely be carefully watched, with the twenty second general decide below strain to hit the bottom operating and take a lot of the strain off Herbert by facilitating the ball management model of offense most well-liked by Harbaugh.

This matchup will likely be billed as a compelling battle between Herbert and Mahomes, who every symbolize the archetypal modern-day quarterback, possessing each the flexibility to make each throw from inside and out of doors the construction of the offense and make an impression with their legs.

Herbert is 2-7 in opposition to Mahomes and the Chiefs in his profession and has not tasted success in opposition to Kansas Metropolis since a 30-24 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 3 of the 2021 marketing campaign.

But for all of the hype across the quarterback matchup, the decisive issue is more likely to be the 2 offensive traces. The Chargers have a weak spot at proper sort out after two-time Professional Bowler Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon, forcing Los Angeles to advertise Trey Pipkins.

The Chiefs, in the meantime, have reworked the left aspect of their line within the wake of a Tremendous Bowl loss that noticed Mahomes sacked a career-high six instances by a ferocious Eagles defensive position.

Left sort out Josh Simmons has impressed in preseason after being taken thirty second general on this yr’s draft, whereas Kingsley Suamataia has huge footwear to fill at left guard, taking the spot of veteran Joe Thuney, who was traded to the Chicago Bears.

The placement of this season opener throws up a number of variables by way of journey and the situation of the sphere, which acquired criticism after the sport between the Packers and Eagles.

However, because the Chargers look to finish the Chiefs’ latest dominance of their rivalry, the end result could show to be a query of which O-Line group copes higher with the offseason adjustments up entrance.

When it comes to accidents, the Chiefs have dominated out rookie large receiver Jaylen Royals due to a knee problem, however Chargers operating again Najee Harris is nice to go after restoration from an harm to his eye suffered in a fireworks incident.

Prediction for Kansas Metropolis Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have a younger and gifted secondary that may make life troublesome for Mahomes, and in veteran Khalil Mack and the ascending Tuli Tuipulotu, they’ve cross rushers who can harm him.

But with Steve Spagnuolo calling the performs for a Kansas Metropolis protection that has supplied more and more spectacular assist to Mahomes in recent times, it appears seemingly that Herbert can have the tougher night, particularly with Slater lowered to the position of spectator.

Prediction: Chiefs 24-17 Chargers