Kansas City Chiefs: 3 predictions vs. Chargers in Week 15

1. Quarterback shootout

This game has a lot of defining factors, but none are more important than the quarterback duel we will see. Patrick Mahomes is a superstar player, a generational talent who is expected to be competing for Super Bowls for years to come. Justin Herbert is amongst the finest players to enter the league in the past three years, and he is an absolute savage in big moments. Duels don’t come much better. So who’s going to lose out?

The Chiefs started the year in terrible form, opening the season 3-4 and generally committing far too many turnovers. The Chargers took advantage of this weakness in Week 3, in particular, their susceptibility to turnovers. A big part of the bumpy start for Kansas was their turnover issues.

The Chargers beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead 30-24 on a final minute drive. Mahomes turned the ball over with an interception on a 3rd down. Herbert then proceeded to lead an eight-play, 59-yard drive in the final 2 minutes for a game-winning touchdown.

Mahomes is an elite competitor, and we all know that his will to win will be bruised from the loss to his younger compatriot. It won’t be easy to get them back in SoFi Stadium. Herbert has been marginally better than Mahomes through the season so far, with 30 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 100.3 passer rating compared to Mahomes’ 27, 12, and 95.4 respectively.

It is these statistics and circumstances that will push Mahomes to prove a point; he is still the top dog in the AFC West. After battering the Raiders last week, another divisional scalp will be his target. Expect fireworks as the Chiefs come to the lights and glamour of Hollywood. Mahomes will outthrow the younger man, showing him the ropes and putting the Chargers playoff hopes in real doubt. The final key prediction for a Chiefs win is that Mahomes will throw two more touchdowns than Herbert.

Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs to win
Final score: 34 – 18