Five things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: Los Angeles Chargers (Round 2)
Four months ago, this game looked like it might be for the AFC West championship. Now, it’s important to just one of the teams playing.
The Chargers were a trendy pick to win the West, but another slow start put Los Angeles in a hole and it couldn’t escape. Now Los Angeles (5-10) is playing out the string, while the Chiefs are alive for a No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
Each week I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here are five things to know about the Chargers ahead of Sunday’s game, which kicks off at noon and will be broadcast on CBS (Ch. 5):
1. Philip’s swan song?
There’s a chance the Chiefs won’t have Philip Rivers to kick around next season. Rivers, the Chargers quarterback, told the Los Angeles Times a week ago that Sunday’s game against the Chiefs might be his last with the Chargers.
“I mean, (it) could be,” Rivers said. “I don’t necessarily expect that it is or I don’t necessarily think it’s a crazy thought that it will be. I think you just don’t know. ... It’s not solely going to be my decision. That’s where I think that uncertainty lies. We will just kind of have to see. ... I think with that uncertainty it does add some emotion.”
Rivers, 38, has completed 65.9% of his passes this season for 4,334 yards with 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
2. Turnovers
The Chargers are tied with the Bengals for the worst turnover differential in the NFL at minus-16. The good news is Los Angeles didn’t have a fumble or interception in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders.
It was the sixth game this season that Rivers hasn’t thrown an interception. But he’s also had six games in which he has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.
3. Offensive disconnect
The Chargers are ranked 11th in total offense (373.5 yards per game), but 21st in scoring offense (21.4 points per game). According to Football Outsiders, Los Angeles ranks fourth in yards per drive (37.5) but 12th in points per drive (2.09).
One reason for the discrepancy? The Chargers are second worst in turnovers per drive (.193).
4. Defensive notes
Joey Bosa has had a fine season, collecting 11 1/2 sacks, while Melvin Ingram has seven sacks in 12 games. He also has an interception. The rest of the Chargers have combined for 10 1/2 sacks.
Bosa sacked Raiders quarterback Derek Carr during Sunday’s 24-17 loss:
Opposing quarterbacks have a 95.5 rating, which puts the Chargers defense in the bottom half of the NFL in that category. Rayshawn Jackson has a team-high three interceptions.
5. Special teams
Kicker Mike Badgley, who missed a portion of the season because of an injury, is perfect on all seven of his field goal attempts from inside the 40-yard line. He’s also converted all 16 extra-point attempts in his seven games.
Punter Ty Long has placed the fewest punts inside the 20-yard line this season (15), although he had two against the Raiders on Sunday.
This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 10:55 AM.
