Los Angeles Chargers: Staff predictions for Week 17 vs. Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 in a game that is more beneficial to lose for draft purposes.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 and it should be a celebration of sorts for Charger fans as it will mark the end of what has been a terribly disappointing season.

I am not making fun of the Chargers or Charger fans as I am a fan myself and I think I speak for all 15 of us when I say that this is one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. This team had so much promise heading into this year after going 12-4 last year and there has been nothing but misfortune at every turn.

Whether it be the injuries, the creative new ways to lose football games in down-to-the-wire fashion or the sudden regression of Philip Rivers, 2019 is not a good year to remember.

I am just looking forward to the offseason and am hopeful for the improvements that could be made and the potential to draft an elite quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft.

We still have to get through Week 17 first. Here is how the staff at LA Sports Hub sees this game going down.

Jamaal Artis (16-8): 31-14, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers close out their 2019 with a trip to Arrowhead Stadium to face already crowned AFC West Champions the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs will likely be at full strength in order to win and a chance to gain the 2nd seed and a bye week for the playoffs. That’s bad news for the Chargers who are 0-5 against the AFC West.

The Chiefs are 5-0 against the AFC West but have struggled at home going just 4-3 at Arrowhead. With expected frigid weather and a chance of rain, expect the Chargers to struggle.

Hil Lopez (14-14): 30-23, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers face the Chiefs on the road this week and will look to play spoiler. The Chiefs have an outside chance at a #2 seed if the Patriots lose to the Dolphins.

With the stakes high for them, they will roll out all their starters in hopes of a win. Meanwhile, the Chargers have nothing to play for and look to end a disappointing season.

The Chiefs will get their revenge from losing last year to the Chargers at home.

Redan Lopez (11-15): 33-20, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs still have a chance at earning a first-round bye in the playoffs. The club will do everything in its power to get a shot at it. Enter Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes who has been on fire the last couple of weeks. The Chiefs have won five in a row and are now healthy. They have also been better defensively, holding the last five opponents to 16 points or less.

The Chargers do not stand a chance on the road. Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers has been a wreck this season with almost any many interceptions as touchdown passes.

The defense has also not held up its end, having allowed at least 20 points in four of its last five games. Rivers will once again be mistake-prone against a revamped and recharged Chiefs’ defense. Unfortunately, the Chargers team will end their season with a whimper.

Jason Reed (15-15): 21-17, Kansas City Chiefs

Because of the elements and the fact that the Chargers’ defense is actually pretty solid, I think that this is going to be a low-scoring game, albeit still a loss for the Chargers.

The Chargers will lose in typical Charger fashion and keep this game close throughout but will continually shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers in key moments that could shift the game.

As always, expect the Chargers to be down four points needing a touchdown to score, win the game and end the season on a positive note.

Just like when the two teams played in Mexico, Philip Rivers will throw an interception to end the game and it will be the perfect metaphor for the 2019 Los Angeles Chargers.