The Los Angeles Chargers made massive improvements last season under the new leadership tandem of Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz. While there were varying expectations for the Bolts in 2024, they definitely outperformed their projections, so hopes are even higher in 2025.
Losing Rashawn Slater in the preseason was certainly a devastating blow to the Chargers' offense, but overall, this roster may be more talented and cohesive than last year's 11-win team. Still, despite their success, they could not get over the hump and win their first playoff game since the 2018 season.
They also didn't earn a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs either, and they have not done so since 2021. LA will carry a seven-game losing streak against their AFC West counterpart into Friday's Week 1 game, but if this bold prediction actually pans out, then things will surely flip.
Chargers predicted to dominate Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs offense
NFL Spin Zone's Ryan Heckman proposed a handful of bold NFL quarterback predictions before the first week of the 2025 NFL season. Among them was his projecting that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes would throw for less than 200 yards, as well as more interceptions than touchdowns.
"This is more about the Chargers than it is Patrick Mahomes, to be fair. Last year, Los Angeles' defense finished with the league's seventh-best pass defense and the fourth-best turnover differential," Heckman wrote. "To some fans, this might be a bit surprising considering this is a defense that has consistently not lived up to what it could be over the last few years. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter did that in his first year with the team, by the way."
Minter and the defense were one of the biggest surprises in the league last year, as fans expected Justin Herbert and a reloaded Chargers offense to carry the torch. However, the team's success was predicated on a successful ground game and tenacious defense.
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There are also factors outside of Minter's control that make Mahomes having a poor Week 1 showing more likely.
"Mahomes will be without Rashee Rice in this one, but he'll still have Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and Travis Kelce as his top pass catchers," Heckman wrote. "In Mahomes' two games against the Chargers last year, he averaged 227 passing yards and the Chiefs failed to score 20 points. Just remember that."
Rice is the team's top wideout, so not having him in the fold will be difficult. The Chiefs have been prepared for his absence all offseason, but it doesn't necessarily make things easier for them.
If this bold prediction comes true, the Chargers will likely emerge victorious in Week 1, which would be a dream start to the campaign for Jim Harbaugh and Co.