Week 14 of NFL Sunday Night Football takes us to Kansas City, where the up-and-coming Los Angeles Chargers will visit the defending Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. These are two defense first teams, looking to beat their in-division foe.

The Chargers enter this game at 8-4, looking to make a push for the playoffs. Allowing an average of 15.7 points per game, Los Angeles is the best scoring defense in the league this season. The offense has been good enough to lead them to a top-10 spot in average scoring margin. Quarterback Justin Herbert is largely to thank for this, making smart decisions that have led to only one interception on the season.

While their season deserves recognition, it is worth noting they have struggled to beat other playoff teams, beating nobody currently above .500 heading into Week 14. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh certainly has the team pointed in the right direction, but the shine may be in part to improved coaching, low expectations, and strength of schedule. Their future is bright, but they may be a piece or two away from serious Super Bowl contention.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to find a way this season, coming into this one with an 11-1 record. Whether you consider it luck, or you’re willing to give the two-time defending Super Bowl champions the benefit of the doubt, it’s impressive to have this record, considering an average scoring margin of only +4.5. The first team to clinch a playoff spot this season will be looking to put a chokehold on the AFC West with a win over the second place Chargers.

This is a big rivalry game with plenty on the line. The Chargers are only half a game up on the Broncos for second in the AFC West, which also has wildcard implications. They certainly have a shot in this game, even ranking above the Chiefs in average scoring margin. Albeit, this has been helped in large by their strength of schedule, which has been the second easiest per Sharp Football Analysis. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, has ten more interceptions on the season than his counterpart. If the Chargers’ defense has a great game, and Herbert continues to play smart, they should be in the fight this Sunday night.

Howe Fresh
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