Scars Remain to Remind

The Chiefs are going to be looking to wash away the issues of last season as they begin anew in Brazil against the Chargers. The Chiefs were essentially a middle of the pack offense last year. Patrick Mahomes threw for 3,900+ yards and 26 TDs, but Kareem Hunt led the team with 728 rush yards. And Travis Kelce led the team in receiving with just 823 yards. It was not a great year for them, and it showed when they got wiped in the Super Bowl. They’re going to have to rely on their defense again, which was top 10 last year. But they need to get some more offense going. Kelce has to show up more, Pacheco needs to stay healthy, and their receivers need to provide some assistance. The Chiefs will get Rashee Rice back later this year from suspension, but until then, it’ll be on Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster to front the receiving production.

If the Chiefs are going to try and forget the events of last season, then the Chargers or going to be full on amnesic. They finished 5-12 last year. Not much saving grace in their performances. Their offense couldn’t get it together, their defense held on for dear life as they were the only thing to sort of stop the bleeding for Los Angeles. But this year, a new regime comes in the form of Jim Harbaugh. The former Michigan HC got some new toys to play with in Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris, two exceptional skills players who I’m sure will have a nice impact this year. They even brought back wily veteran Keenan Allen, who loves to produce for the Bolts. Harbaugh is a lover of the run game, so Hampton and Najee Harris will see lots of action, but I want to see Justin Herbert lead this team. It’s not that he hasn’t, but he hasn’t taken that leap we all thought he would. I like the Chiefs here in a close fought game, I think KC will utilize their defense to try and shut down the run game early, but don’t be surprised if the Chargers make them sweat for it.