The Chiefs have a chance to lock up the AFC West on SNF.
This Sunday night, the 7-2 Chiefs head to face the 5-4 Chargers. A win on Sunday will give the Chiefs a four game lead for the top spot in the AFC West. The win would also give the Chiefs the tiebreaker against the only team that has any shot at winning the division. This means the Chargers must have to win out to win the division and the Chiefs have to lose five of the remaining games. This being not very likely.
Both teams are going to be thin at the wide receiver position putting extra stress on their offenses.
The Chiefs are going to be without JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. Earlier in the week Hardman was on the Injured reserve with an injury that the Chiefs have given little information about. He is going to miss at least the next four games.
Smith-Schuster is going to miss the game on Sunday. Andy Reid confirmed this during his Friday press conference. Reid said he is getting better but he is still in concussion protocol.
The Chargers are more than likely going to be down both or at least one of their top wide receivers. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen have been on and off the field all year.
Allen has been nursing a hamstring injury all year. He missed the week two game against the chiefs. While he attempted to to come back earlier in the year, he re-injured it causing him to miss even more time.
Williams has missed practice time due to an ankle injury. This is an injury that the Chargers have been dealing with all year.
Even if one or both of them end up playing it is very unlikely that they are going to be at full speed. Both of these injuries are hard to tell how healthy that player is until they try to go full game speed.
The Chiefs will also be missing Corner Chris Lammons. He is also still in concussion protocol. They will get Frank Clark back off from suspension. This addition will bolster a line that has been playing its best stretch of games going back to the 49ers game.
Last week they were able to get to the quarterback five times with plenty more pressure. They are getting a great pass rush from nearly everyone. Khalen Saunders has been one of the number one guys to step up since Clark left. His ability to eat up blockers has allowed other guys like Carlos Dunlap to continue their production.
The final story line is what the Chiefs are going to do with their running game. A few weeks ago the Chiefs said Isiah Pacheco was going to be their number one running back.
Last week he was given the rock more than 18 times, a career high. If the Chiefs are going to stay dedicated to the run, Pacheco needs to get the ball around the same amount of times. This is even if they are not getting the same level of production.
Overall, this divisional matchup should be a great one. Kansas City is playing nearly better than ever. This is arguably a must win game for both teams. Both sides will likely bring their A-game this week.
