Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers host Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. Chat with other Chargers fans on the open thread while watching the game.
This is a BIG game for the Chargers, who can’t afford to fall 0-3 in the AFC West. The Chiefs, who beat the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles to start their season, have won the last six games against the Chargers.
The Chargers will go against the Chiefs’ 29th-ranked defense. Don’t let that stat fool you, though, as the Chiefs have several top playmakers on defense, including pass-rusher Justin Houston, defensive end Chris Jones and cornerback Marcus Peters. The matchup between Peters and Chargers wideout Keenan Allen should be a great one. Allen caught 6-of-7 targets for 63 yards in the 2016 season opener vs. the Chiefs before tearing his ACL before the half. Allen is off to a great start to the 2017 season, with 14 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown through two games.
Meanwhile, the Chargers’ running game hasn’t done much, as they rank 31st in the NFL, averaging 54 yards per game. Melvin Gordon has two total touchdowns, but he’s averaging 2.5 yards per carry. On the other hand, Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt, who has 229 rushing yards and five total touchdowns so far, will go up against a Chargers’ defense that’s allowed 125.5 rushing yards per game (26th-worst).
That said, let’s take a look at the Chargers’ inactives:
Our #KCvsLAC Inactives:
QB C. JonesLB H. PullardT T. MarzT J. BarksdaleTE S. CulkinWR M. WilliamsDE J. Attaochu
— #KCvsLAC (@Chargers) September 24, 2017
Bad news not having right tackle Joseph Barksdale. Barksdale, who left Week 2’s game with a foot injury, was expected to see the field when Anthony Lynn addressed the press Friday. Michael Schofield will start in place of the injured Barksdale. The 2014 third-round pick, who was claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos after preseason cuts, made 29 starts for Denver at right guard and right tackle over the previous two seasons.
DE Jerry Attaochu has yet to play this season, as he is still nursing a hamstring injury, while LB Hayes Pullard will (thankfully) be inactive after logging limited practices with a knee injury. Nick Dzubnar is active after being signed to the roster in place of Jason Verrett, who will undergo season-ending knee surgery.