Pregame Report: Chargers at Chiefs Week 2
The Chargers take on the Chiefs Thursday night at GEHA Field.
The Chargers and Chiefs will square off under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football in Week 2. After both teams kicked things into gear with opening weekend victories, the winner of tonight’s game will take the early lead for first place in the AFC West.
Here's a look at the Week 2 pregame report, previewing the Chargers' matchup against their division rival, Chiefs.
Date, time and location
- Thursday, Sept. 15 at 5:15 p.m. PT
- GEHA Field
How to watch and listen
- TV: Fox 11 Los Angeles
- Radio: ATL FM-98.7, featuring Matt "Money" Smith, Daniel Jeremiah and Shannon Farren
Where to stream
- Amazon Prime with Al Michels and Kirk Herbstreit on the call
Final injury report
Chargers:
- OUT: WR Keenan Allen, TE Donald Parham Jr.
- QUESTIONABLE: CB J.C. Jackson
Chiefs
- OUT: K Harrison Butker
- QUESTIONABLE: G Trey Smith
Current betting lines
- Point spread: Chiefs -6.5
- Moneyline: Chiefs -213, Chargers +175
- Over/under: 54 points
Things to watch
- Chargers pass rush: In Week 1, the Chargers were able to inflict constant pressure on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, sacking him six times. The Chiefs offensive line looks to stack-up as a stronger group than the Raiders, but the pairing of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa still figures to create a matchup problem, nonetheless. Mack recorded three sacks in his Chargers debut, and later said that he saw areas of his game in which he left a lot out on the field. Keeping Patrick Mahomes inside the pocket will be a key element for the Chargers pass rush as the Chiefs' gunslinger is most dangerous when he gets outside the pocket.
- Containing Travis Kelce: Without Tyreek Hill in Kansas City, Travis Kelce becomes the Chiefs unquestioned No. 1 pass catcher. However, Chargers safety Derwin James has had success in the past of slowing down the league's top tight end. According to the data of TruMedia, Kelce was held to five catches for 68 yards with James on the field across their two meetings last season. With James off the field, Kelce recorded 12 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns. James will be deployed on Kelce for the greater part of this matchup.
- Chargers run game: The Chargers offensive unit finished the game last week with 355 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. But they never got into any sort of rhythm on the ground, finishing the game with 76 yards rushing and averaged 2.5 yards per carry. To strike a more balanced attack in Week 2, they need to get Austin Ekeler and company going early and often.
- Who steps up with Keenan Allen out?: In a game last week where Allen exited in the second quarter with a hamstring injury, and Mike Williams finished with two catches for 10 yards, Herbert connected for three touchdowns – all with pass catchers who weren't on the team just a season ago. DeAndre Carter seized his opportunity, catching three passes for 64 yards and one touchdown. Who steps up this week with Allen ruled out? Mike Williams looks to be inline for a big day, Joshua Palmer moves into more of a prominent role and Carter's snap count should largely increase.
More from Charger Report
- Chargers at Chiefs Game Day Betting Odds: Week 2 Point Spread, Moneyline, Over/Under
- Chargers at Chiefs Week 2 Game Prediction
- Chargers at Chiefs Week 2 Injury Report: Wednesday
- Chargers Voice Confidence in the Depth at Wide Receiver While Keenan Allen's Status Sits in Question For Week 2 vs. Chiefs
- DeAndre Carter's Week 1 Performance Builds Upon Strong Training Camp, Continuing to Show He's More Than a Return Specialist
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Charger Report. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel for more Chargers coverage.
