The undefeated (4-0) Kansas City Chiefs will take on the winless Los Angeles Chargers (0-5) on Sunday afternoon. The game will kick off at 3:25 Arrowhead time and will be broadcast locally on CBS (KCTV-5).
The Chiefs enjoyed an early Week 5 Bye week, undefeated and atop the AFC. In Week 4, the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 to remain unbeaten.
Despite not playing last week, running back Kenneth Walker is second in the NFL with 537 rushing yards and is on pace for a massive season.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes appears back in MVP form, but he has sustained losses to his receiving corps, with Tyquan Thornton likely out for the season and Rashee Rice slated to miss time with a hamstring injury.
Few saw the Chargers’ porous season coming, but they are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs before the end of October. The Chargers haven’t lost a game by more than a possession, but an onslaught of injuries and turnover issues have plagued them so far and will linger into this matchup.
Here are five things to watch.
1. Receivers stepping up
The receiver room took a big hit with Thornton lost for the season, and Rice set to miss time with a soft-tissue injury. While most of the Chiefs media scape is clamoring for outside help, this will give the Chiefs reserve wideouts a chance to show what they can do.
Cyrus Allen was the talk of Chiefs camp, but to this point in the season has played sparingly. He has yet to catch a pass and has played only 10 offensive snaps this season. The fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati became a training-camp and preseason darling, showing strong route running and good hands.
Second-year player Jalen Royals has seen an uptick in snaps and caught his first career touchdown pass in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Royals has seen the field for 23% of the offensive snaps in 2026, but has only caught three passes.
The Chiefs signed Justin Watson to the practice squad this week, a reunion that brings back a key member of the back-to-back Super Bowl teams. During his time in Kansas City, Watson caught 42 passes for 785 yards and five touchdowns, and was at his best when going deep.
It will be worth monitoring if they activate other practice squad players like Andrew Armstrong or Omari Evans in the coming weeks. The Chiefs could make an outside move before the trade deadline, but they will give their in-house options the first crack.
2. Attacking Herbert
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is having a horrendous start to the 2026 season. He is tied for the league lead in turnovers with nine two-fumbles and seven interceptions—and ranks low in every major passing category.
Herbert has had some great games agaisnt the Chiefs recently, but with a decimated offensive line and below-average receivers, he struggled greatly this season. Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has not helped the cause, but Herbert’s decision-making has been bad, to say the least.
The Chiefs are tied for second in the NFL for turnover takeaway differential at +5 through four games.
The Chiefs defense has allowed some points this season, but they have been opportunistic when it comes to taking the ball away, and this week could be a good chance for them to add to their dominance in the takeaway category.
In his career against Kansas City, Herbert has 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 102.9 passer rating. He may be struggling, but the Chiefs defense must bring their A-game to keep him down.
3. Delane and Williams dominance
By now, there should be no doubt that general manager Brett Veach can find cornerbacks. A season after trading away All-Pro Trent McDuffie, his replacement, Mansoor Delane, is looking the part in just three career games.
Delane has been impressive, and his opposite-field counterpart, Nohl Williams, has stepped into his own after a solid rookie season.
The Chargers’ two best wideouts, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, are both listed as questionable after missing a week, which could spoil a good matchup against the corners.
Both corners have also been strong in run defense and will likely play big roles there this week.
4. Pass rush finishing with sacks
The Chiefs pass rush needs to pick it up, and this could be a get-right game for them.
Through four games, the Chiefs have recorded only four sacks, tied for least in the NFL, and have been middle of the pack with 39 total pressures.
Herbet has been pressured the third most in the NFL—42 times—and sacked the second most, 17 times.
The Chargers will play a makeshift offensive line this week, so the Chiefs pass rush must find ways to get home on passing downs, starting up front with the defensive line.
5. The offensive line
This is a big week for the Chiefs offensive line in multiple ways. With tackle Josh Simmons practicing in some capacity, he will likely return to the starting five in the coming weeks, leaving either Jaylon Moore or rookie standout Kahlil Benson as the odd man out.
Another situation to monitor will be the left guard spot. In Week 4 against Las Vegas, Mike Caliendo unexpectedly took a spot start over Kingsley Suamataia, who started every game this season and last season at the position.
Reid did not clarify the reason in the press conference, but did mention Suamataia would be back in the mix this week.
By all measures, Suamataia has played fine this season, so his absence has been more of a mystery than anything.
Overall, the offensive line has played fine this season, and the Chiefs will need them to win this game.
