LA Chargers: Five players who need to improve to defeat the Chiefs

The Chargers obviously must play better as a team to be able to beat the Chiefs, but there are five specific players that need to improve in Week 2.

The offense was lacking in Week 1 in Cincinnati. It’s much easier to beat the Bengals with a sluggish offensive output than the Chiefs though. Shane Steichen has to prepare a better game plan to be able to go toe to toe with one of the best offenses in the league.

The defense played well, but there’s certainly room for improvement. Taking on a rookie quarterback with a bad offensive line is much different than taking on Mahomes and the Chiefs. Starting with the offense…

LA Chargers that must improve: Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen didn’t actually play poorly on Sunday. He simply wasn’t given a lot of quality opportunities for receptions. Tyrod Taylor targeted him eight times, five of which were deemed catchable.

What does fall on Allen is demonstrating better chemistry with Taylor. It’s understandable to have somewhat of a dud game with a new starting quarterback for the first time in over seven years, but he can’t make it a habit. If the LA Chargers are going to beat the Chiefs, Allen has to have more than 37 yards and four receptions.

Luckily for Allen, he might be facing off against a depleted Chiefs’ secondary. Bashaud Breeland is suspended until Week 5 while cornerback Charvarius Ward fractured his hand in the win against the Texans. The Chiefs’ secondary shouldn’t be underrated since they still have Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill, but the Chargers should go after the corners.

In the two games against Kansas City last season, Allen had 153 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll need 70+ yards and maybe a touchdown if the team is going to win this one.