The Los Angeles Chargers will look to even out the head-to-head component in a race for a playoff berth with a win over the Kansas Chiefs on Saturday night at 8:25 p.m. ET on NFL Network (live stream).
Chargers vs. Chiefs live stream: How to watch Saturday night football online
Tied for first place in the AFC West, one of these teams will take the lead of the division with two games left in the regular season.
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The Chargers started the season 0-4 but quickly made some adjustments and are heading into this Week 15 matchup tied with the Chiefs at 7-6, riding a four-game winning streak. Despite having already lost to Kansas City back in Week 3, the games since have seen a significant shift in momentum between the two teams, and the newly minted Los Angeles squad is trending upward.
Andy Reid and the Chiefs were on a four-game losing streak prior to their win over the Raiders last weekend, including a loss to the Giants. (Yes, those Giants.) By besting Oakland, however, Kansas City is still in the hunt for the top spot in the division, but it won’t be easy — even if it is the home team.
Quarterback Alex Smith has a dangerous rush option in Kareem Hunt. Earlier this season against the Chargers, Hunt had a career-high game with 172 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Last week against Oakland, he rushed for 116 yards and a score.
With the Chargers claiming one of the league’s most dangerous pass rushes with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, Smith won’t have a ton of time in the pocket, but Hunt should be able to create some opportunities for the Chiefs’ offense. Even still, it’ll be an upward battle for Smith all game long.
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Chargers vs. Chiefs news:
- Both teams were plagued by injuries this past week, with the Chargers losing running back Andre Williams to a wrist injury, and Kansas City having to place safety Steven Terrell on IR a day after his first interception for the team.
- The Chargers could still wind up in the playoffs even with a loss, but they will need to win out (and some other stuff).
The Titans and Ravens will most likely end up holding any potential tiebreaker over the Chargers if they finish with the same record (and so will the Bills if it’s a three-or-more team tie). So, while the Wild Card looks like a possibility, it is more likely AFC West or bust for the Chargers.
- The Chiefs improved their pass rush last week against the Raiders and in turn broke their losing streak.
The biggest thing missing in the Chiefs defense has been the turnovers and I believe a big part of that is that the Chiefs weren’t pressuring the quarterback during their losing streak.
- Kansas City playing at home will be a big factor in whether the Chargers are able to get the upset.
The Chiefs are at home so that it’s just a one-point line really shows how good the Chargers have been lately. While the Chiefs just broke a four-game losing streak, the Chargers have been on a four-game winning streak. They’ve won seven of their last nine games with one of those losses coming in overtime and the other one to the Patriots.
Chargers vs. Chiefs predictions:
Kansas City gets the win on Saturday night and continues the grind to the postseason. Andy Reid usually finds a way to win in December and at home, and while the Chiefs could find themselves in the playoffs, Reid’s team also have a tendency to fall short. Six of our eight experts disagree, however, seeing the Chargers defeating the Chiefs in their Week 15 picks. OddsShark’s computer agrees.
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