NFL Game of the Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

One of the more intriguing games of Week 14 takes us to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium where the Kansas City Chiefs host the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chiefs are one of two teams to have clinched a playoff berth at this point in the season.

However, they are yet to clinch the AFC West crown but it is well within grasp as they look to knock the Chargers out of the race completely with a win on Sunday.

Kansas City enters Sunday Night’s matchup 11-1, coming off a close win against the Raiders on Black Friday.

The Chiefs have struggled at times this year but still find ways to close out ball games victorious.

Patrick Mahomes ranks 9th in passing yards with 2,979 this season and has 19 TD’s to go with that.

The newly touted backfield duo of Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco, who just came back from injury, will look to continue to build chemistry down the stretch.

The Chiefs' run defense ranks second in the NFL this season with 87.8 yards allowed per game.

Superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones has had a slower start to the season based on his standards stat wise but has still been the big time disrupter of plays.

Linebacker Nick Bolton leads the team in total tackles with 84 this season as well.

The 8-4 LA Chargers currently sit in fifth playoff spot in the AFC, in front of the Ravens and division foe Denver Broncos.

The Chargers have won their last five of six and their last six of eight coming into this matchup Sunday.

Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown only 13 touchdown passes to this point but has also rarely turned the ball over.

The resurgence of J.K. Dobbins is also very cool to see. Dobbins has rushed for over 760 yards and is top ten in rushing touchdowns.

Dobbins, however, will miss this week's game and the next two due to being placed on IR with a sprained MCL.

Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey has been Herberts’ go to guy this season as he has hauled in 58 balls for 815 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season.

McConkey is listed as questionable for Sunday Night’s game as he was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday dealing with shoulder and knee injuries.

Los Angeles’ defense has been nothing short of stellar entering Week 14.

The Chargers rank number eight in pass defense and number one in total team defense.

Second year linebacker Daiyan Henley has been an absolute stud this year with 114 total tackles and one sack.

Things to look out for on Sunday Night:

The Chargers rushing attack against a stout Chiefs run defense.

Vintage Mahomes in a game to clinch the division crown.

Game Prediction:

It might sound weird but even though the Chiefs are 11-1, it seems like they are playing poorly and not up to the usual standard.

The Chiefs offense hasn’t been great but then again, Mahomes is 6-1 in his career vs Herbert.

These two teams always seem to be in a close one score battle and I think this game will be the same.

Sooner or later, I think the Chiefs will lose one of these games and I think this is the one.

The Chargers and that defense get the job done.

Give me LA 23-20.

Austin Moran is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu.