The Los Angeles Chargers began this season on a high, beating the Chiefs in Brazil in the season opener. Currently, these two teams are in very different places when it comes to health and playoff potential. Let’s take a look at what to watch for in their next matchup:
1. Can The Chargers Sweep The Chiefs?
Before quarterback Justin Herbert had surgery on his non-throwing hand and just 11 interceptions on the season, he threw for over 300 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, had zero interceptions, and was only sacked three times in his first game of 2025 against the Chiefs.
This was before the ACL injury to running back Najee Harris, when he and running back Omarion Hampton were attacking the run game as a combo. And before offensive tackle Joe Alt left for the season with an ankle injury.
The game wasn’t perfect but it was a statement win. After the Chargers’ messy yet gritty win on Monday night against the Eagles, there’s still hope. And if they can pull out another “W”, the Chargers will continue to show that this team is different from other iterations.
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2. Can The Chargers’ Offensive Line Hold Up?
Kansas City defensive lineman Chris Jones had his highest pass rush Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 2025 (92.4) against the Texans on Sunday night, with a season high in quarterback hits (three), and one sack. Jones currently ranks first in ESPN’s Defensive Tackle Pass Rush Win Rate Rankings, which look at “how often a pass rusher can beat his block within 2.5 seconds,” with a 19% pass rush win rate and 37 wins over 191 plays.
Defensive end George Karlaftis, meanwhile, leads the team in sacks (six) and is on track to beat his quarterback hurry number from 2024 of 39.
These players, in addition to others like former Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill, who had his only two sacks of the season against the Chargers that first week, are going to be a problem. And considering how much Herbert was hit and sacked on Monday night against another good defense, it’s not looking good for Herbert’s health.
The Chargers’ offensive line is not what it used to be with Alt healthy and in the lineup. Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer saw some action in the first matchup, with right guard Mekhi Becton going out for a period of time due to an illness. And Salyer has been playing well after being inserted at left tackle, so perhaps the Chargers have finally figured out a solution to that piece of the line.
Right tackle Trey Pipkins III left the Eagles game with an ankle injury, and depending on the severity, as he did not practice on Wednesday, the Chargers may be down yet another offensive lineman in this next game.
Herbert was sacked a season (and career) high of seven times against the Eagles, was bleeding from his elbow, and was taking hits to his surgically repaired non-throwing hand. As the Chargers brace for a similar wave of defensive pressure on Sunday, Herbert may find himself on the move just as often as he was on Monday, searching for enough breathing room to make plays.
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3. Can The Chargers Contain Patrick Mahomes
The Chargers’ defense against the Eagles showed that they were ready to bring the pressure. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had a 52.5% completion percentage on Monday night, his second-lowest of the season, and was being chased, had defenders in his face, and his connections were off with his receivers, considering he had four interceptions, which is not only a season high for him but a career high in a single game.
Mahomes is one of those quarterbacks, like Hurts, who can extend plays with his legs. In the game against the Texans, the KC receiving corps had five drops for on-target passes, so if Mahomes isn’t able to connect with his playmakers, he’s likely to try to take the game on his shoulders and just run.
The defense, in particular, edges Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh, and Tuli Tuipulotu have to continue to bring the pressure. Oweh had a sack on Hurts on Monday while Tuipulotu was doing a bit of everything with quarterback pressure and stopping the run. So this pass rush unit will need to replicate that performance this Sunday, because even when Mahomes looks like he’s down, he’s not out.
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4. Who Wins The Turnover Battle
It was turnover central against the Eagles, as the Chargers’ defense snatched up nearly everything Hurts threw. Safety R.J. Mickens nearly intercepted one, but the ball bounced off his hands as he dove for it. Defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand also came up with a turnover, though he fumbled it briefly—Hurts recovered momentarily before the Chargers reclaimed the ball.
Cornerback Donte Jackson had an interception, while cornerback Cam Hart also got one, the first of his career, off the hands of Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. And Hart was also responsible for tipping the ball into the hands of safety Tony Jefferson in overtime, securing the win. The Chargers should certainly take this turnover mojo into the Chiefs game on Sunday, because if the Chiefs’ offense plays as it did against the Texans, there will certainly be more opportunities
5. Will The Chargers Be Able To Get More Touchdowns?
The Chargers’ opening drive against the Eagles started the game off right with a 60-yard reception from running back Kimani Vidal and an eventual touchdown from Hampton. Little did we know that this would be LA’s only touchdown of the game, and for the rest of their points, they would have to rely on their very accurate kicker, Cameron Dicker.
Herbert was under siege so much, and the Eagles’ defense effectively eliminated most of his playmakers, especially Ladd McConkey, who had five targets and only one reception. Tranquill had his best tackling game of the season against the Texans with 10 total tackles ( four solo and six assisted). Linebacker Nick Bolton had 12 (six solo and six assisted).
I expect the Chargers’ receivers to be tightly contained again against this Chiefs defense, which makes it all the more intriguing to see whether the offense can find a way to break through.