Players to watch in Chiefs-Chargers game: Let’s start with Bolts running back Ekeler
The Chiefs have known plenty of success against the Chargers, both when the Bolts were based for many years in San Diego and now that they’ve relocated to Los Angeles.
In the Chiefs’ Andy Reid era, which started in 2013, his teams have won 11 of 12 in the series.
But some Chargers have played superbly against the Chiefs in recent seasons. Here are a few players to watch when the teams meet at Sofi Stadium in L.A. Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Central Time.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler
In five career games against the Chiefs, Ekeler, the former Division II star at Western State in Colorado, has 250 receiving yards and a touchdown to go along with 122 rushing yards. He’s been difficult to cover out of the backfield for many teams, but his pass-catching total vs. the Chiefs is his most against any opponent.
In the Chargers’ victory over the Bengals Sunday, Ekeler led the way with 84 rushing yards and was targeted for a pass just once. When playing the Chiefs, Ekeler has been targeted an average of six times per game.
Chargers DE Joey Bosa
Coming off his second Pro Bowl season, Bosa is among the NFL’s top defenders. He’s logged double-digit sack totals in three of his four seasons and recorded a sack at Cincinnati last weekend.
Two of his 41 career sacks have come against the Chiefs, but he’s still seeking his first takedown of Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs OG Kelechi Osemele
KC running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire wasn’t the only Chiefs newcomer who showed out in the Chiefs’ opener against Houston.
Osemele, taking over at left guard for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, had a terrific run-blocking game against the Texans. He opened the hole on Edwards-Helaire’s 27-yard touchdown run and helped clear space for the rookie running back to rush for 138 yards on 25 carries.
An All-Pro in 2016 with the Raiders, Osemele brings physicality to the Chiefs’ ground game and makes Andy Reid’s offense that much more dangerous.
Chiefs DE Mike Danna
When it came to playing time, there were two surprises from the Chiefs opener: no defensive snaps for linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and 29 for Danna, the fifth-round draft pick from Michigan.
Some of that could be explained by an injury to Alex Okafor, but Danna entered the game as part of the Chiefs’ defensive end rotation. He got the call over Taco Charlton, who was inactive.
Danna responded with three tackles in his NFL debut. Will he get as much playing time this week? And is Gay ready to take the field on the defensive side?