CHIEFS 2017 STATISTICS

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TV: CBS

Danny Sheridan’s line: Chargers by 3

Chiefs’ keys to victory

With a young quarterback and plenty of targets, the Chiefs plan to try to win a bunch of shootouts. A tight end can be a rookie quarterback’s best friend, and Patrick Mahomes will benefit from the presence of Travis Kelce, one of the league’s top tight ends. RB Kareem Hunt gave the Chargers fits last year, and WR Tyreek Hill made just enough plays to put the Chiefs over the top. Add in WR Sammy Watkins, and it’ll be tough to slow this offense down. The Chiefs have a young defense and will need to hold the Chargers to field goals instead of touchdowns.

Chargers’ keys to victory

The Chargers have a fast defense. With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram coming off the edge, Los Angeles’ plan is to put pressure on Mahomes and confuse him with different coverages and looks. Mahomes is a risk-taker, and the Chargers defense thrives off turnovers. QB Philip Rivers did a good job of avoiding turnovers last year. The Chargers will try to spread the Chiefs defense out so it has to make plays in space. Even with the loss of Hunter Henry, the Chargers have plenty of targets, led by Keenan Allen. But they’ll need to be better in the red zone, where they ranked 28th last season.

Who wins?

Rivers and company will be able to move the ball at will. The Chiefs will stage a comeback, but it’s too late.

Chargers, 27-21 Passing

Chiefs Opp. Rushing Chiefs Opp. Scoring Chiefs Opp. Att

543 570 Att. 405 1903 4.7 70 443 1890 4.3 27 TD Rsh Rec Ret 42 39 Cmp

363 325 Yds 12 15 Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Yds

4104 66.9 3952 57 Avg Lng TD 26 23 Chiefs 1 0 Cmp% 12 15 Pts 415 339 Opp. Chargers Opp. Sept. 9 at L.A. Chargers 4:05 Sept. 16 ..... at Pittsburgh ..... 1 Sept. 23 .... San Francisco .... 1 Oct. 1 ....... at Denver ....... 8:15 Oct. 7 ........ Jacksonville ........ 1 Oct. 14.at New England.8:20 Oct. 21 ......... Cincinnati ......... 1 Oct. 28 ............ Denver ............ 1 Nov. 4 ........ at Cleveland ........ 1 Nov. 11 ........... Arizona ........... 1 Nov. 19 at Rams (Mex. City) 8:15 Nov. 25 ................ Bye ................ Dec. 2 ...... at Oakland ...... 4:05 Dec. 9 .......... Baltimore .......... 1 Dec. 13..L.A. Chargers ..8:20 Dec. 23 ...... at Seattle ...... 8:20 Dec. 30 .......... Oakland .......... 1 Yds/ Att

7.6 26 6.9 23 Receiving Chiefs Opp. Int.

Chiefs Opp.

Kicking

Chiefs Opp. TD Int Lng

8 79 37/222 100.8 16 69 31/179 81.5 Rec. Yds Avg Lng TD 363 4326 11.9 79 325 4131 12.7 69

No. Yds Avg

16 8

PAT

40/40 31/33

Total First Downs Rushing

3rd Down Pct. 4th Down/Att. 4th Down Pct. Penalties/Yards Sack/ Lost

201 100

12.6 12.5

FG

41/45 22/27

Chiefs Rtg 26 23 TD

0 0

Pts

163 97

Opp.