Chiefs are taking a different mindset against the Chargers this week than in previous matchups
The 2024 Los Angeles Chargers are a different team than we're used to seeing. For many years the Chargers were known for underachieving despite being talented, finding new and unusual ways to lose games. With coach Jim Harbaugh now at the helm, that is no longer the case. In his first season in Los Angeles, […]
The 2024 Los Angeles Chargers are a different team than we're used to seeing.
For many years the Chargers were known for underachieving despite being talented, finding new and unusual ways to lose games. With coach Jim Harbaugh now at the helm, that is no longer the case.
In his first season in Los Angeles, Harbaugh has changed the culture of the organization. The Chargers are no longer a team that plays recklessly and sloppy. Harbaugh has transformed them into a tough, physical squad that is disciplined.
That hasn't gone unnoticed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Back in Week 4, the Chiefs edged out the Chargers 17-10 in a defensive struggle. L.A. hadn't found it's groove yet, but are currently winners of five of it's last six games.
When asked about how he'll approach the Chargers' offense the second time around, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo acknowledged that it is very different and improved unit from earlier this year.
"Well, we did play them (the Chargers) fairly early," Spagnuolo said. "I think they’re –and with a new staff and a new team, I think it takes them a while to figure out who they are. I think they have figured that out and you can kind of see that. You can seethe thread of what they want to do, what they would like to try to do (and) how they go about winning games. I think they have a great formula. I mean, I have a lot of respect for Jim (Harbaugh) and (Chargers Offensive Coordinator) Greg (Roman) with the way they do things. It’s still going to come back to – I mean, when we have a wrinkle that’s a little bit different then the first time – absolutely, we always think that way. Can we get into those wrinkles? We’ll see because sometimes they’re dictated by the situation, but I think they’re a little bit different in – I mean, the biggest thing that will be different for us is that when we played them last time, (Chargers QB) Justin (Herbert) had a bum ankle and wasn’t running as much. I mean, he gutted it out in that game. He’s running pretty good now. That in and of itself will be different for us.”
Spagnuolo made a good point about Herbert being limited with an injured ankle during the first matchup. Since he was basically immobile, the Chiefs were able to keep him under pressure all game and limited him to just 179 passing yards.
Herbert is now healthy and is operating Harbaugh's offense to perfection with a stellar 13-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones recognized that Herbert isn't putting up gaudy stats like in years previous, but is taking care of the ball and making big plays when it matters the most.
"I mean, he's a heck of a passer," Jones said. "He can make all the throws. Smart quarterback. Big quarterback. Tough to get down. That's a very good, well coached team. We got to try to limit him on big passing plays and also stop the run. They've been running the ball really well and managing the game really well. So, try to affect the run game and get after it."
The Chargers have committed the least amount of turnovers in the NFL with just five. If the Chiefs are going to pull out a victory over them on Sunday night, taking care of the ball must be a high priority. K.C. can clinch it's ninth-straight AFC West division title with a win over the Chargers, but could see them again in the postseason.
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