The LA Chargers are once again on primetime as the team looks to avoid a season sweep from the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. Kansas City, meanwhile, can clinch the AFC West for the ninth season in a row with a win over the Chargers.
While the outcome of the game won't change the complexion of the playoff picture much on paper, it could have big implications for both teams. The Chargers need the win to maintain the No. 5 seed, which is the most favorable wild-card seed. Kansas City, meanwhile, needs to win to keep the No. 1 seed.
The Chiefs, who haven't caught fire despite only having one loss, are seemingly getting better as the team heads into this game. Meanwhile, the Chargers are dealing with big injuries that could swing the outcome of the game.
Chargers inactives vs. Chiefs:
Position | Player |
|---|---|
LB | Denzel Perryman |
WR | Ladd McConkey |
S | Tony Jefferson |
OL | Brenden Jaimes |
OL | Jordan McFadden |
QB | Easton Stick |
DL | Justin Eboigbe |
Ladd McConkey was the biggest story heading into Sunday night and he officially will be inactive against the Chiefs. McConkey has become an instrumental part of the Chargers' offensive identity. Without him, it is going to be hard to move the ball against a stout Chiefs defense.
Those who have fantasy football implications should turn to Quentin Johnston, if possible. Johnston has struggled the last several weeks but he has had big games in the past and if the Chargers are going to compete, he will have to score.
Denzel Perryman is the only player who was ruled out on the final injury report of the week. Thankfully for the Chargers, the team also activated rookie linebacker Junior Colson from the IR, which may help in Perryman's absence.
Chiefs inactives vs. Chargers:
Position | Player |
|---|---|
RB | Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
DE | Josh Uche |
OL | C.J. Hanson |
OT | Ethan Driskell |
OT | Kingsley Suamataia |
DT | Marlon Tuipulotu |
DE | Malik Herring |
Mecole Hardman is the only player who was ruled out for the game in the final injury report of the week but he was placed on the IR so he does not officially count as one of the Chiefs' inactives vs. the Chargers.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Josh Uche are the biggest names on the Chiefs inactives list but neither are surprises. Edwards-Helaire has long lost his role in the running back rotation while Uche is redundant with the Chiefs' defensive line being healthy.
Former Pro Bowl left tackle D.J. Humphries is making his Chiefs debut in perfect time against the Chargers. Humphries was a late-season signing as he rehabbed a knee injury. His Chiefs debut comes one week after Mahomes was pressured 20 times.