The Kansas City Chiefs will need to run the table over the final four weeks of the season if they want to return to the playoffs — and they’ll start the journey against an opponent going through an unusual level of preparation.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed that he is turning to some sleep experts to help his team prepare for this week’s game against the Chiefs. The game has big playoff implications for both teams, and Harbaugh said he is leaving nothing to chance.
Jim Harbaugh Leaving Nothing to Chance
As Chris Roling of SI.com noted, Harbaugh decided to bring in some outside help to get his team in the best physical shape before facing Chiefs.
“Speaking with reporters before the Week 15 clash with the Chiefs, Harbaugh revealed that the Chargers started practicing earlier than usual this week after a consultation with sleep experts at UCLA,” Roling wrote.
Harbaugh added that he’s prepared for the frigid temperatures in Kansas City as he looks to give his team any kind of edge they can get.
“I personally feel like an expert when it comes to dealing with cold weather,” Harbaugh said. “You’re young, your body is pumping warm, hot blood. Get your feet moving and keep them moving. When they come to the sideline, we’ll have heated benches and those kinds of things. But your body is like a human hot tub. It keeps you warm.”
Game Has Huge Implications for Chiefs
The Chiefs fell to 6-7 after last week’s loss to the Houston Texans and now must win out for a shot at a wild-card berth. The Athletic’s playoff calculator gives the Chiefs a slightly greater than 50% chance to reach the postseason if they finish 10-7, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes warned that there would be no more margin for error.
“We know the chances are getting lower and lower, but I know the guys on this team are going to give everything they have every opportunity they get,” Mahomes said, via NFL.com. “You’re just getting late in the season, and you’re not going to get these opportunities back. That’s a good team, but we had chances. We didn’t execute at the right time to win it.”
Veteran defensive end Chris Jones added that while his team was disappointing after the loss to the Texans, they have faith in the core veterans who led the team to three Super Bowl titles.
“Everyone felt like they could have done something different, something better. It was more so of disappointment within itself. I don’t think down, because we’re all competitors at the end of the day,” Jones replied. “And even though this is new territory for us, we still have an opportunity. We still got really, really great players on this team starting with our leaders [Patrick Mahomes], [Travis Kelce].”
The Chargers have a lot riding on Sunday’s game as well. They have a chance to keep within striking distance of the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos, and may need to bank a win to keep their playoff standing. The Chargers have a difficult final month that also includes games against the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and a season finale matchup with the Broncos.
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