Chiefs 2022 Opponent Overview: Los Angeles Chargers

What a wild opening weekend it was for the 2022 NFL season. Crazy finishes, upsets and bounce back performers highlighted an exciting Week 1. As for the Kansas City Chiefs, they won their eighth consecutive opener, dominating the Arizona Cardinals in the desert 44-21. As for the rest of the AFC West, one other team emerged victorious in their Week 1 showing. That would be the Los Angeles Chargers. LA defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 24-19, controlling the division rival throughout the entirety of the contest.

Fast forward to Week 2, and the Chargers are set to take on another division rival in Kansas City. The Chiefs and the Chargers split the regular season series last year. In fact, each team got a road win over the other. Like both matchups last season, the hype for this matchup is at an all-time high. The Chiefs are looking to fend off the Chargers for a seventh straight AFC West title in 2022. Meanwhile, Los Angeles may have the best roster on paper in order to dethrone Kansas City from that division perch.

More on some of the key matchups and game planning will be covered right here throughout this week. Today, we will be giving our own view of the Los Angeles Chargers entering their matchup with the Chiefs. What can Kansas City expect from their offense and defense? Let’s kick it off.

Relentless Passing Attack

Even with all of the changes to the Kansas City offense, we still generally think of them as being a relentless attack. The same feeling can be attributed to the Los Angeles Chargers passing game. Simply put, Justin Herbert has become one of the most difficult quarterbacks to defend in the NFL. Arm strength is always a key trait that you see thrown around when discussing quarterbacks. While some passers have adequate arm talent, the power and velocity that Herbert creates is arguably the best in the league. On the other hand, the mobility that Herbert has often goes unnoticed. This quarterback displays some of the best ball placement as well.

It does appear that wide receiver Keenan Allen may miss this game, due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1. Even still, the Chargers have built a unique cast of weapons for Herbert. Mike Williams brings a unique blend of size, speed and change of direction skills to the fold. Defenders have a challenging time of staying on top of him. At the same time, he is able to make opponents miss in space. Joshua Palmer appears destined for a breakout as the WR3 when Allen is healthy. Veteran DeAndre Carter is a solid depth piece, to boot. He is also a vertical threat for Herbert. At tight end, Gerald Everett and Tre’ McKitty are large, barreling forces at the catch point. With this deep, versatile group and Herbert’s bazooka, the Chargers can be one of the most unstoppable passing attacks in the NFL, when right.

Change Of Pace

To go along with that relentless and deep passing game, the Chargers have a tremendous change of pace to lean on. Running back Austin Ekeler has long been one of the more dynamic players at his position. In the running game, his patience, vision and low center of gravity allow him to break tackles and break off chunk gains. It is the abilities that he brings as a pass catcher that make him even more dangerous, however. Ekeler simply creates many explosive plays as a pass catcher by using elusiveness after the catch to make defenders miss. He is a reliable, sure-handed pass catcher, something that cannot be said about most running backs. Most running backs cannot execute a full route tree out of the backfield like he does, either.

Because of this player, defenses have a difficult decision to make. How do you go about defending the Chargers quick-strike offense? Do you sit back in zone coverage and hope to take away the spacing that Herbert has to operate with? Do you stack the box and eliminate the options for Herbert and Ekeler in the middle of the field? Or, do opponents take a gamble and increase their blitz calls, leaving defensive backs on islands one-on-one against the Los Angeles pass catchers? Ekeler affects this in a variety of ways. As a result, the Chargers are able to calmly pick and choose their spots offensively.

Speed Demons

Everyone knows about the depth of the Chargers defense. The potential starting secondary trio of JC Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr. and Derwin James may be one of the most feisty in the league. Jackson did not play in Week 1, due to an ankle injury. It is uncertain if he will be available for the Chargers against the Chiefs. But when he does join Samuel Jr. and James, you are talking about a trio of defensive backs that are versatile, instinctive and extremely tenacious at the catch point.

Up front, the Chargers traded for Khalil Mack, pairing him with Joey Bosa. The power and plethora of pass rush moves that these two uses is what coaches should be teaching younger players that are looking to become pass rushers. The smart decisions that they use within their pass rush plans is simply fascinating to watch. On top of that, Bosa and Mack are likely going to have many opportunities to pin their ears back and rush this season, assuming the Chargers offense plays up to their potential.

One thing that goes unheralded for this LA defense, is the speed in which they play at. The quickness that they have at their disposal can routinely match some of the more potent skill groups around the NFL. That was always a major neutralizer for the Chargers when Tyreek Hill was with the Chiefs. In the end, Los Angeles hopes the same results resonate when facing the added speed of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and others.

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