2. The Chiefs’ defense has to generate consistent pressure on Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Chargers have battled numerous injuries along their offensive line this year, losing starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt for most (and in Salter’s case, all) of the season. Those injuries have led to some significant protection issues over the course of the year, and since Week 9, only Raiders’ quarterback Geno Smith has been sacked more times than Justin Herbert (23 times).
Philadelphia sacked Herbert seven times last week, pressuring him on 64.3% of his dropbacks (and often without blitzing), but to his credit, Herbert found a way to lead Los Angeles to a win despite that consistent havoc up front. Regardless, Philadelphia’s ability to create pressure clearly impacted the Chargers’ passing game.
The Chargers’ top four pass-catchers, for example, in wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and tight end Oronde Gadsden – all of whom have at least 500 receiving yards this year – combined to catch just seven passes for 49 yards last week.
Philadelphia’s pressure rate was the reason behind that collective lack of production, and the Chiefs will need to generate a similar result on Sunday. Fortunately, Kansas City is coming off one of its top games of the season in terms of disrupting the quarterback, pressuring Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud on 66% of his dropbacks last week.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones tallied a season-high eight pressures, defensive end George Karlaftis recorded five pressures and rookie defensive end Ashton Gillotte racked up a career-best five pressures as part of that effort, all combining to hold Houston to just 67 yards in the second half.
If the Chiefs are to win on Sunday, the defense will need to turn in a similar performance against Herbert and the Chargers’ offense.
3. Los Angeles owns the league’s fifth-ranked pass defense.
The Chargers feature the league’s No. 9 scoring defense at just under 21 points allowed-per-game, and at the core of that success has been their elite play against the pass.
Los Angeles is allowing just 173.2 net yards-per-game this year, which ranks fifth-best in the NFL. The Chargers have also allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league (12), their opponent passer rating allowed ranks second (73.0) and their opponent completion percentage allowed ranks fourth (60.4%).
Additionally, the Chargers’ 15 interceptions this year are tied for the second-most in the league, and their four picks last week were the primary reason they were able to overcome the Eagles’ relentless pass-rush in the end.
That pass-defense is the product of a strong unit at all three levels, especially up front. Los Angeles features numerous capable pass-rushers between veteran Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh. Specifically, Oweh – who joined the Chargers in a trade mid-season with Baltimore – ranks third on the Chargers in terms of pressures (21) and second in sacks (5) in just eight games.
The Chiefs did a solid job of protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes last week despite missing numerous starters up front, and they’ll need to do so again on Sunday.