A stoppable force meets an immovable object on Sunday as the 0-5 Chargers head to Arrowhead for a matchup with the 4-0 Chiefs. With Kansas City coming off a bye and Los Angeles reeling after another frustrating loss, there are certainly better conditions for the Chargers to earn their first win.
Here are a few reasons to be optimistic about Los Angeles sneaking out with a victory.
Flashes from Travis Burke
Burke, the Chargers' fourth-round pick from this April, filled in admirably for left tackle Rashawn Slater last week against the Broncos, earning an 84.2 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked first in the entire game. Burke did allow three pressures and a sack, but for his first start as a Day 3 rookie, it was an encouraging showing and continuation
of a strong preseason. Burke earned praise from NFL Network's Brian Baldinger for his performance and will stick in the starting lineup with Slater on injured reserve and Joe Alt (neck) out.
Injuries at wide receiver
For as barren as LA's wide receiver room got last week, they're at least going to get Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston back. The outlook is less rosy on Kansas City's side after Tyquan Thornton broke his ankle in Week 4 and Rashee Rice is out, leaving the Chiefs with Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, and Nikko Remigio at receiver against a strong Chargers defense.
Containing Kenneth Walker
The Chiefs' addition of Walker has been one of the stories of the season thus far, as Kansas City's offense has immediately looked like a top-ten unit again with the reigning Super Bowl MVP in the backfield to take pressure off of Patrick Mahomes and the passing offense. Walker has over 170 yards rushing in two of his four games in a Chiefs jersey and is averaging 6.2 yards a carry, with 537 total yards and 4 touchdowns on the year. Los Angeles, however, is allowing only 3.8 yards per carry and ranks 6th in EPA/rush allowed this season thanks to strong beginnings from Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Khalil Mack, and Tuli Tuipulotu on the defensive line.
Kansas City off a bye
Surprisingly, the Chiefs under Andy Reid have not always been a formidable team off the bye: they have a record of 8-11 against the spread, including playoff games, following a bye week, according to Sports Illustrated. That doesn't automatically guarantee a Chargers win, per se, because Los Angeles is an 8.5-point underdog this weekend, but covering that spread implies Sunday will be a one-possession game, in which case the Chargers will at least have a chance to steal a possession or scoring opportunity and make the Chiefs sweat.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 4 reasons for optimism for Chargers against the Chiefs in Week 6
