The Kansas City Chiefs will look to clinch their ninth-straight AFC West title when they face off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. With a win, the Chiefs would extend their division lead over Los Angeles by four games and secure the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Here are five key points to consider heading into the game:
The Chiefs will need to protect against the Chargers’ red-hot pass-rush, which has led the league with 23 sacks and 43 quarterback hits since Week 8. The Chiefs have struggled to keep their quarterback Patrick Mahomes safe, yielding a season-high five sacks in each of the last two games.
On the other hand, the Chargers’ offense will be without star running back J.K. Dobbins, who has been a key contributor this season. Without him, the Chargers have averaged only 3.2 yards-per-carry and failed to score an offensive touchdown in their last game.
The Chiefs also need to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the red zone. Despite struggling to convert in recent games, they have shown success in the past, particularly from Week 7 through Week 9. However, the Chargers’ top-ranked defense will make it difficult for Kansas City to score points.
Los Angeles has a league-low six giveaways this season and a top-ranked defense that has forced 17 takeaways. The Chiefs will need to protect the football to avoid costly turnovers and capitalize on opportunities to create scoring chances.
Ultimately, a win would give the Chiefs their ninth-straight division title, extending their lead over Los Angeles by four games and securing the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Source: https://www.chiefs.com/news/five-things-to-watch-on-sunday-chargers-vs-chiefs-x2414