What could go wrong has gone wrong for the Los Angeles Chargers as the team's injury list continues to grow.
Their two best offensive linemen, Joe Alt (knee) and Rashawn Slater (pectoral), will miss the divisional bout against the Chiefs. In addition to Alt and Slater, ILB Junior Colson (hamstring) and OLB Joey Bosa (hip) are also at risk of being ruled out as neither has logged in a practice this week.
In addition to the injuries, Derwin James has been suspended for a game for repeated violations of player health and safety rules. However, the timing of the suspension, coming against the Chiefs, makes fans suspicious.
The good news for the Chargers is that franchise quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) seems to be trending in the right direction. He has logged back-to-back limited practices, and he will likely play on Sunday.
KEYS TO WIN:
1) Contain Rashee Rice — Rice has taken over the Travis Kelce role of a target hog for the Cheifs. He has become Patrick Mahomes' go-to receiver, and without Isaiah Pacheco on the field last week, Rice saw a whopping 14 targets. It seems like Mahomes will look to get Rice the ball any way he can, and the Chargers must do whatever it takes to limit Rice's production, especially his yards after the catch.
2) Run, Run, Run — Greg Roman's offenses have been about establishing and pounding the run game. That type of game plan wears out the opposing defenses. They must stick with the run game through the third quarter. Here's why: Not only will that fatigue the opposing defense, which will allow Herbert to dice them up in the fourth quarter, but also that will keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline and ice him. The less Mahomes is on the field, the better for the injury-ridden Chargers team.
3) Ladd McConkey — The rookie wide receiver is due for a big game sooner or later, but this is a good game for Herbert to target McConkey often. On third downs, it seems like Herbert favored McConkey over the other receivers, and this could be a game that comes down to the wire. Herbert will need to throw the ball more in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, assuming the Chargers don't have a two-possession lead. McConkey seems to be in the role that Keenan Allen had with the team, and I believe on Sunday, they will wear down that defense with the run game and then attack them with the passing game, which is where McConkey should flourish.
The Chargers are the underdogs going into Sunday, but they hope to upset the Chiefs and come out of their bye week healthier than they entered it.
MORE CHARGERS NEWS
Chargers vs. Chiefs series history
Rumor states Chargers were in on QB trade this offseason
There is no way Justin Herbert should play against Chiefs
