Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs: MNF at Azteca

Non-existing pass protection

Chargers and the Chiefs were selected to play the annual game at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City this year. What's interesting about this game is that it's played on a very high altitude (2300m) and that last year the game was canceled due to poor field conditions. Both teams do have some experience with altitude conditions, considering that they are in the same division with Denver and are playing at Mile High stadium once a year. Chargers were starting to build up some momentum, but they were stopped by the Raiders on TNF 10 days ago. Sitting at 4-6, they are not really a threat to compete for the division title anymore. They are two wins behind both Kansas City and Oakland, but that was not their biggest problem.

Injuries that once again hit their offensive line are. Better play on offense was correlated with the return of Russel Okung, who was out because of blood clots. But he reinjured in the Raiders game and the problems with protecting Philip Rivers started again. After not practicing at all the entire week, he is doubtful to play in this game. And on top of that, the right tackle Sam Tevi is out as well.

Run D consistently bad

Chiefs are coming off a loss as well. That one definitely stung, considering that they were in great position to close out that game in Tennessee, but allowed 10 unanswered points by Titans in the end and got a potentially winning FG blocked in the last seconds. Contrary to their opponents, they are becoming healthier these days. Eric Fisher is returning to the lineup, which will solidfy the play of the offensive line and make Mahomes more comfortable in the pocket, with Ingram and Bosa rushing from the edge.

But they have issues on their own. And they are mostly related to defense. Against the pass they've actually been sneaky good and even Top 10 according to some advanced metrics. But they are still too vulnearble against the run, where they are allowing more then 5 yards per carry. And that's been consistant throughout last couple of years, even after Steve Spagnuolo replaced Bob Sutton as a defensive coordinator and implemented 4-3 front instead of 3-4.

Chargers vs Chiefs best bet

I've read somewhere that the Chargers offense is suffering because Rivers has a dead arm. Well, he never really had a cannon. He always had a weird delivery, throwing the ball from a lower point and not always having the prettiest spiral. But the difference this year is that he can't step into the throws and has to throw from the back foot more often. Center Mike Pouncey is out and so are his both starting tackles. The interior OL is mediocre at best and they will struggle to keep Chris Jones out of the backfield tonight. He'll be in Rivers face the entire game and probably force an errant throw or two.

With Mahomes one the other side, Chargers might be forced to play score for score in this one. But playing behind a bad OL and throwing against an underated secondary will be a very difficult task for Rivers.