CHARGERS (2-1) vs. CHIEFS (3-0)
When: Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/ 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM, 94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chiefs by 7
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: OLB Joey Bosa (hip), LB Junior Colson (hamstring), OL Rashawn Slater (pectoral). QUESTIONABLE: OL Joe Alt (knee), WR Derius Davis (hamstring), CB Kristian Fulton (knee), QB Justin Herbert (ankle), DB Deane Leonard (hamstring), CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula).
Chiefs: OUT: DE Mike Danna (calf).
What’s at stake? The Chargers have lost 10 consecutive home games to the Chiefs, dating to a 27-24 overtime victory Dec. 29, 2013, in San Diego, the longest active losing streak to one team in the NFL. The Chargers have lost home games to the Chiefs in San Diego’s late-not-so-great Qualcomm Stadium, Carson’s StubHub Center, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.
Who’s better? Hard to go against the undefeated Chiefs, winners of the last two Super Bowls and three of the past five. The Chargers took their first tumble during their loss in Week 3 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with injuries to key players one of several root causes for a 20-10 defeat. Another root cause was the Steelers’ exceptional play in the second half, when they overcame a 10-7 deficit. This might have looked like a really compelling game back when the schedule was announced, but right now, with all of the Chargers’ many injuries, it looks like a mismatch.
Matchup to watch: Herbert versus his right ankle. It might take an army to keep Herbert off the field to start Sunday’s game. He’s just the kind of a guy, deeply committed to his teammates and with a strong sense of duty that means if he doesn’t play then he’s letting them down. In fact, it might be wiser in the long run for him to sit out, rest up during the upcoming bye week and get as close to 100% as possible for the Chargers’ next game, Oct. 13 against the Denver Broncos. But since he’s likely to play against the Chiefs, then the question becomes: How effective can he be? He completed his first nine passes last Sunday against the Steelers, but his production fell off considerably during the third quarter and he was eventually pulled from the game in favor of veteran backup Taylor Heinicke.
Chargers win if: What is it they say about any given Sunday? It’s not out of the question that the Chargers could parlay their stingy defense, which has given up only 11 points per game so far, with an above-average offensive push to pull off an upset. The oddsmakers have listed the Chiefs as a solid favorite, and with good reason. The Chargers are simply too bruised to be a realistic threat.
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Fantasy sleeper: This might be the game Cameron Dicker is called upon to boot three or four field goals as the Chargers struggle in the red zone against the Chiefs’ bend-but-don’t-break defense. Dicker is 6 for 6 on field goals this season, including 1 for 1 from beyond 50 yards. Overall, he is 58 for 61 during his 31-game NFL career, including 8 for 11 from beyond 50 yards.
Prediction: It’s hard to see the Chargers challenging the Chiefs with their two top tackles and one of their best pass rushers sidelined by injuries, with safety Derwin James Jr. suspended by the NFL and with Herbert at something far less than 100%. The Chiefs are the better team when the teams are at full strength, and the Chargers are nowhere near full strength. Chiefs 28, Chargers 16.