On Sunday, theKansas City Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers in the late window of Week 6 games. We welcome Michael Peterson of Bolts From the Blue — our sister SBNation site covering the Chargers— for Five Questions with the Enemy.
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1. The Chargers entered this season following consecutive 11-6 finishes, but they are now 0-5 and one of only three winless teams remaining. How has this start changed the expectations surrounding Jim Harbaugh and the team for the rest of the season?
The new expectation now is that there are no expectations. What else can you really strive for in a lost season? There’s no chance at the playoffs barring 11 consecutive wins to end the year and we know that’s not happening. At this point, most of this staff is coaching for their livelihood. Jim Harbaugh is probably safe given that this type of year is an anomaly based on his lengthy and successful resume. Chris O’Leary, barring a massive collapse by the defense (who knows what happens if they end up trading Khalil Mack!), should be safe given how well he’s kept his unit chugging. They’ve been without Derwin James and top cornerback Donte Jackson the past two weeks, on top of missing starting defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and career special-teamer Del’Shawn Phillips starting at inside linebacker.
The fan base is fairly split between tanking for a blue-chip prospect or actually turning it around and looking like a competent football team the rest of the way. I don’t see any type of turnaround happening as long as they’re trotting out four rookies on the offensive line. Completely unreal what’s happening up front with the injuries and it’s the second year in a row where only the worst players of the bunch manage to stay healthy.
If Jim Harbaugh is worth the pretty penny that he’s getting paid, he’ll prove that this entire situation is a fluke. Fire or hire the right people and get this thing turned around before the 2027 offseason arrives.
2. Justin Herbert has completed 59.4% of his passes for 937 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions while being sacked 17 times. What has been the biggest reason for his struggles in Mike McDaniel’s offense?
Two big things:
1.) The offensive line has simply been abysmal, and that’s before the injuries really started to take their toll. Check any number from whomever you want, Herbert is getting hit at historic rates and nothing has changed since last season when he was the most hit quarterback in the league. Last time I checked, he was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL since being drafted in 2020. His best protectors can’t stay healthy and the front office has done a horrendous job at fixing the problem.
2.) After five weeks, I think it’s simply safe to say that McDaniel’s offense does not jive with Herbert or the personnel. It looks like he’s trying to fit square pegs in round holes, and for some reason none of that got ironed out in the preseason. Based on training camp reports and the little bit of preseason snaps we saw among the starters, the offense looked great. It looked very competent. I simply don’t understand what happened between the final preseason game and the season opener against the Cardinals. Herbert looks like he’s simply doing what McDaniel tells him to and throwing to who he is told to throw to, over actually running the offense and having control over the entire show.
How do we explain the blatant turnovers thrown into the chests of defenders? How do we explain why some of their best players are off to the worst start of their careers?
Nothing makes sense with this team anymore.
3. Despite the winless record, the Chargers’ defense ranks second in defensive success rate and eighth in EPA per play. What has allowed that unit to continue playing well while the offense struggles?
The defensive coaching staff under Harbaugh has been very good since it was compiled in 2024. Mike Elston has coached the defensive line well, mainly turning reclamation projects into coveted free agents (s/o Poona Ford and Kristian Fulton). Steve Clinkscale has worked wonders with the young defensive backs. Khalil Mack’s guidance has also been huge for the young pass rushers.
Overall, they just look like a unit who understands the mission. They understand their goals and know how to execute the vision of O’Leary. It’s such a stark contrast from the other side of the ball that it’s hard to comprehend.
Lastly, how good is this unit that they rank as high as they do even when they’ve started a league-high 18(!) drives inside their own territory. That’s seven more than seconds place! This unit is worth their salt and O’Leary really be one of the best up-and-coming defensive minds right now.
4. The Chargers opened the week with seven players unable to practice and another 13 limited, including Joe Alt, Derwin James, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Which injured player’s availability would have the greatest effect on Sunday’s matchup?
Right now, it’s Joe Alt. The defense has been fine without Derwin James or Donte Jackson. The offense was bad with or without both Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
Alt at least gives Justin Herbert one good to great offensive lineman who can protect him. Without him, it’s going to be sixth-round pick Alex Harkey yet again. There’s a chance veteran Daniel Brunskill gets the start, but we won’t know for sure until game day most likely.
But let’s be honest, none of those players lifted are enough to really move the needle in this matchup.
5. The Chargers swept Kansas City in two one-score games last season, but they now enter Arrowhead at 0-5 against a rested 4-0 Chiefs team. What is your prediction for how Sunday’s game plays out?
I think the Chiefs are going to win by double-digits and maybe actually win in a comfortable manner. The Kansas City defense is also very good this year and if some of these other units can cause the Chargers to turn it over in their own territory multiple times as game, the Chiefs should have no problem doing it the same. It might be a big day for Harrison Butker as this defense still manages to hold teams to 3 over 7 most times, but put their backs to their own goal post enough and anyone would be able to break through for a few more scores than expected.
I foresee the Chargers kicking a few field goals but failing to find the end zone even once. My score prediction for this one is 24-9 Kansas City with Justin Herbert once again turning it over more times than touchdown passes thrown.
