Chargers @ Chiefs game preview:

Sheesh, I wish I could say, “What happens against Vegas stays against Vegas.” But alas, we all know better. The Chiefs have been basking in the glow of their lucky stars regularly this season, just surviving last Friday in a nail-biter.

Now, Kansas City prepares to welcome another division rival: the 8-4 Los Angeles Chargers. This will be their second meeting of the season, with KC claiming the last installment, 17-10, in the City of Angels. But don’t sleep on LA—they’ve won five of their last six games and are charging (pun intended) hard to keep the heat on Kansas City for the division lead. Realistically, though, the Chargers’ focus is more on solidifying a playoff spot than dethroning the Chiefs in the AFC West.

This matchup should be primetime fireworks, folks. So, without further delay, let’s dive into some of the key battles that could decide this divisional duel!

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Key Matchups to Watch:

Trent McDuffie vs. Ladd McConkey:

Battle of the Mc's. It’s All-Pro Trent McDuffie against standout rookie Ladd McConkey—a marquee matchup that could be pivotal on Sunday night. This one’s got all the ingredients of a chess match, and here’s why I think it favors Kansas City.

McConkey comes in at 6'0" and 180 pounds, eerily similar in stature to McDuffie. Unlike facing a towering receiver like Courtland Sutton, who can bully his way through with size alone, McDuffie matches up perfectly with McConkey’s physical traits. That’s why I expect Trent to shadow Ladd on at least 90% of the snaps, putting KC’s best corner on LA’s most dangerous receiver.

And dangerous he is. McConkey has essentially carried the Chargers' receiving corps this season. With 58 receptions, 815 yards, and four touchdowns through 12 games, he’s been Justin Herbert’s go-to guy, particularly in the last three weeks—racking up 117 yards last Sunday and 123 the week before. McConkey’s heating up at just the right time, and his growing rapport with Herbert is clearly on display.

But what stops a rising star receiver? An elite corner. Enter Trent McDuffie. Not only is he a reigning All-Pro, but he’s also a perfect fit for this assignment. If McDuffie can lock down McConkey, it takes a huge amount of pressure off the rest of the Chiefs' secondary, which has struggled at times this year. With McDuffie erasing LA’s primary chain mover, KC’s defense can focus on neutralizing the Chargers’ other, less-threatening options.

In a game with playoff implications, this duel might just tip the scales in Kansas City’s favor. Under the Arrowhead lights, it’s time for McDuffie to remind everyone why he’s one of the best in the game.

DJ Humphries vs. Chargers pass rush:

There’s been no official word on whether DJ Humphries will start Sunday, other than Andy Reid stating that the Chiefs’ new left tackle will be "fast-tracked" into the starting role. But honestly, I’m so confident Humphries will be out there that I’m writing about him blindly.

Now, the Chargers' defensive line isn’t exactly a murderers' row, but they do have Joey Bosa. And while he's battling a hip injury, Bosa is still a guy who’s capable of wrecking a game, and he’ll require plenty of attention on Sunday. To put it simply, Wanya Morris—while talented—has been hampered by injury and is simply not good enough to protect Patrick Mahomes, especially on his blindside. Last week, K’Lavon Chaisson, a middle-of-the-road edge rusher, absolutely dominated Morris off the edge. He beat him so badly that it nearly cost the Chiefs the game, with Mahomes getting sacked five times and battered repeatedly. That simply can’t happen again.

Now, while DJ Humphries may not be Tyron Smith in his prime (or even Eric Fisher), he doesn’t need to be. If he can just hold up on the left side and give Mahomes those few seconds he needs to make his magic happen, we’ll be in far better shape heading into the stretch and postseason. The look on Humphries’ face when the camera panned to him after Morris got beaten time and again last Sunday told me everything I needed to know—he’s aware of the gravity of the situation and knows he has a big role to play. Let’s hope he can live up to the hope and prove he was worth the investment.

Deandre Hopkins vs. LAC's secondary:

The Chargers' secondary can definitely be beaten, and we saw that firsthand back in Week 4 when Xavier Worthy slipped behind them for a 60-yard score. Outside of Derwin James, there isn’t really a defensive back in that secondary you’re losing sleep over. James, of course, is a fantastic safety when he's healthy, which, unfortunately for LA, hasn’t been consistent throughout his career. While James has had success guarding Travis Kelce in the past, Kelce has often had his way with the Chargers' defense—there’s a noticeable difference in his production when James is on him versus when someone else is tasked with the assignment.

With Zues slowing down a bit, I think James might win his matchup against Kelce this time around, but here’s the key: with James focused on Kelce, it opens up space for DeAndre Hopkins to take over his own matchup. Every week, Hopkins looks more in sync with Patrick Mahomes and the offense, and it feels like it’s time for him to have a big game. The guy catches everything. I’m just not sure LA has anyone who can stop Nuk right now, so if you’re into betting, take his overs—you won’t regret it.

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X-Factors

X-Factor 1: Matthew Wright

With the Chiefs seemingly incapable of winning anything other than ridiculously close games, and with one of the league’s top kickers, Harrison Butker, out at the moment, it’s honestly a miracle that missed points haven’t cost them dearly. The Chiefs have played the last two games with fill-in kickers, and now Matthew Wright will once again handle the kicking duties this weekend.

If Kansas City wants the best chance of securing a win here, Wright will need to make his kicks. With the Chiefs’ offense likely to rely on another tight, grind-it-out performance, every point counts—especially in a game that could be as close as 6-5 (I mean, you know how these things go). Wright’s performance will play a big role in whether KC can escape with a win over the Chargers, so here’s hoping he can rise to the occasion and help seal the deal.

X-Factor 2: Joshua Williams

Finally, it looks like Williams has made his way out of the doghouse. He was forced into action last week after Nazeeh Johnson was repeatedly bullied in coverage. Now, while Williams isn’t exactly the miracle knight in shining armor the Chiefs’ secondary has been searching for, it’s a bit curious that he was glued to the bench for so long while Johnson got roasted week after week. Williams has shown flashes of promise in a KC uniform, yet he couldn’t crack the starting lineup while Johnson kept getting burned.

Regardless, I’m expecting Williams to start this Sunday, and he’ll be tasked with covering guys like Quentin Johnston. I think Williams can handle that matchup. If he can hold his own in coverage, we might just see the Chiefs’ borderline elite defense back that we’ve been waiting for. Let’s hope he can seize this opportunity and help lock down the Chargers’ receiving options.

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Prediction - Chiefs 27, Chargers 24.

The Chargers have been on fire and are a legitimate playoff-bound team, led by a great quarterback in Justin Herbert. But when it comes to primetime at Arrowhead, I think the Chiefs will find a way to get it done. The atmosphere, the crowd, and the momentum all play in KC's favor. I’m calling this one Chiefs 27, Chargers 24. It’ll be another tight one, but Mahomes and company will pull it off when it matters most (as usual).