Chiefs 2021 Opponent Overview: Los Angeles Chargers

Following their first loss of the 2021 season, the Kansas City Chiefs will be playing a division opponent for the first time this year. The Los Angeles Chargers will travel to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Both teams are 1-1 so far this season. Meanwhile, each team split last season’s meetings, as the road team won both matchups.

Kansas City’s recent stretch of division play has been astonishing. In the last six seasons, the Chiefs are a combined 31-5 in their last 36 division games. The Chargers have improved in their preparation for the Chiefs recently, however. LA’s most recent additions to the defensive front seven has them set up to mix and match looks. And of course, Justin Herbert is one of the league’s best young quarterbacks, as he enters his second season in the NFL.

Today, we will be giving our own view of this current Chargers squad. What could we expect from their offense and defense? Plus, how will each team react after difficult losses in Week Two? The offense who starts quicker may ride that momentum throughout the entirety of the contest. That leads us into our first topic surrounding the Chargers.

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Matching Offenses

As crazy as it may sound, the Chargers offense is built to go blow for blow with the Chiefs offense. Airing it out 35+ times a game is no issue for Los Angeles. To boot, their receiving depth is rather deep, healthy and has enough veterans to rely on. Kansas City will obviously have to be ready for heavy doses of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The trio of Jalen Guyton, Josh Palmer and KJ Hill can all provide versatility to the offensive attack. Lastly, the Chiefs must tackle better than they did last week. This goes without saying when Austin Ekeler and Jared Cook have the ball in their hands.

What makes Herbert so dangerous? His ability to stay calm in the pocket is major for a youthful passer like him. On the other hand, the Oregon product has tremendous arm strength and pinpoint accuracy. This allows Los Angeles to push the ball down the field, into tight windows, or to the outside edges. Additionally, Herbert is dangerous while throwing on the run or taking off and running, due to his plus-size.

New Blocking Units

Similar to the Chiefs offense, the Chargers are also donning a new look offensive line. It is not completely different at all five spots like Kansas City’s is. Nonetheless, this will be the first time that this blocking group goes up against Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit.

Four of the five starting blockers are new to the Chargers this season. Rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater has looked extremely polished in his first two games in the NFL, despite opting out of his final college season last year. Left guard Matt Feiler (Steelers) and center Corey Linsley (Packers) were both outside free agent additions this offseason. At right guard, Oday Aboushi was also a free agent addition this offseason (Lions).

Right tackle Storm Norton is not new to the team this year. However, he was not slated to be the starter at the outset of the season. Veteran Bryan Bulaga suffered more injuries yet again. After their Week One victory, the Chargers placed Bulaga on injured reserve with back and groin injuries. Thus, Norton is receiving a monstrous opportunity at right tackle. Can the Chiefs defense take control against this ever-changing Chargers’ offensive line?

Lightning Bolts

Where the Chargers defense imposes a threat to the Chiefs offense, is not often replicated by other NFL defenses. That would be the speed that the Bolts have on the defensive unit. And it is not just one or two guys at certain spots. Honestly, this Chargers defense has speed at all three levels.

From the defensive line, Joey Bosa, Jerry Tillery, Linval Joseph and Justin Jones present a relentless group. Head coach Brandon Staley led the league’s number defense last season, as the Rams defensive coordinator. He will certainly be willing to utilize any tricks and different looks when rushing the passer with this group.

In the back seven, the Chargers are full of Swiss Army knives. Moving guys around the defensive formation is never out of the question from LA. Furthermore, they have the range and instincts to affect both the pass and run game at a high level. Underrated players like Uchenna Nwosu, Drue Tranquill, Nasir Adderley and others can create turnover opportunities in a flash. Finally, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid must be carefully calculated with how they attack the defensive back group of Asante Samuel Jr., Derwin James, Michael Davis and Chris Harris Jr. Through the first two games, the Chargers defense ranks in the top ten (seventh) in points allowed.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles throughout the rest of this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.