Los Angeles Chargers: When they last played the Kansas City Chiefs

Prior to each regular season game, we take a look at the most recent clash between the Los Angeles Chargers and their upcoming opponent. First up, the Chiefs.

The last time they met, Los Angeles Chargers dropped an eighth-straight loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, their opponents for Week 1 of the 2018 season, in what ended up being an ugly 30-13 loss on the road. Despite leading the game 13-10 roughly midway through the third quarter, the Chargers would then go four-straight drives turning the ball over on either an interception or a fumble.

The game started fairly well for the Bolts, as the defense held rookie phenomenon Kareem Hunt to only 40 rushing yards through most of the first half. Philip Rivers, who had three costly interceptions in their last AFC West clash, protected the ball well and had the team only down four points on the road.

However, following a late second-quarter injury to run-stopper Denzel Perryman, along with varying injuries to running back Austin Ekeler, safety Adrian Phillips, tight end Hunter Henry and even wide receiver Keenan Allen, the team broke down and watched the Chiefs score 20 unanswered points.

Stats that stand out

• Philip Rivers, QB: 20-of-36, 227 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, 38.8 QBR
• Melvin Gordon: 169 total yards, one touchdown, 6.76 yards per touch
• Nine plays of 10+ yards given up by defense

How it affected the season

Although a small chance remained for the Bolts to enter the postseason following the loss, it was inevitably the game that sunk their playoff chances for good. Even with two wins against the Jets and Raiders in the coming weeks, the Chargers’ season would not continue.

What’s changed since then

In response to an interior defensive line of Brandon Mebane, Darius Philon and Corey Liuget that gave up 327 yards on the ground to Hunt in both games in 2017, the Chargers are now fielding a unit of…Brandon Mebane, Darius Philon, Corey Liuget and third-round selection Justin Jones, who has played a small handful of snaps in one preseason game. Oh boy.

General manager Tom Telesco seems to have faith that the defensive line (which will be without Liuget due to suspension) will be buoyed by the tackling ability of newcomers safety Derwin James and linebacker Kyzir White, as well as the health of a returning Perryman.

On offense, the Chargers will boast a Hunter Henry-less but mostly healthy and upgraded unit that includes a more effective Mike Williams. Moreover, there should be an upgrade on the interior of the line with free agent center Mike Pouncey arriving and then-injured right guard Forrest Lamp returning.

Each addition helps Rivers. With Williams, the team gets a receiver with better jump ball and catch radius ability than Keenan Allen or Tyrell Williams. When targeting either Tyrell Williams or Travis Benjamin on deep routes, Rivers turned the ball over four times last time against the Chiefs. Mike Williams, while also not having to deal with All-Pro corner Marcus Peters, will have a better shot at making those catches. With Pouncey and Lamp playing, Rivers will be better protected from the nasty A-gap blitzes that teams love to run against him and his lack of quick lateral movement.

One can only hope the additions are enough to break the Kansas City curse that’s been haunting the team since their last victory in 2013.