Five Matchups to Watch in the Chiefs vs. Chargers Week Two Game

Taking a look at some of the key matchups in tonight's game

The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves facing one of their top tests of the season tonight against the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s a short week and the focus will be on two of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks – and rightfully so. However, let’s dive a little bit deeper into the other top matchups we’re going to see tonight and where your eyes should be trained for the best possible football-watching experience.

Khalil Mack vs. Andrew Wylie

While the other side of the line – Joey Bosa against Orlando Brown Jr – will be one worth watching, the Mack versus Wylie matchup may be the one that can tilt the game in either team’s favor. Mack’s addition to the Chargers this offseason appeared to be a big one if he was able to recapture some of his early-career ability. Through one week of football with Los Angeles, it appears he has done just that.

Wylie has filled in admirably at right tackle, but hasn’t had the best start to the season. This will easily be the toughest test of his time at tackle. If he plays well against Mack, the Chiefs offense should go off without a hitch. However, if Wylie struggles with an excellent pass rusher, Mack could single-handedly put the brakes on the Chiefs offense.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. Kenneth Murray

Coming off of an excellent week one, Edwards-Helaire and the Chiefs’ running game appear to be firing on all cylinders. WIth the Chargers relying on a two-high structure on defense, there should be light boxes for the Chiefs run game – and an increased focus on the linebackers to fit gaps appropriately. That will lead to many occasions for Edwards-Helaire and Murray to engage in tonight’s game.

Murray is a big linebacker who is more run-stuffer than a coverage linebacker. With that being said, he has struggled in his time in the league to be a consistent force against the ground attack. If Edwards-Helaire continues his hot start into week two of the season, Murray will have to play better than he has to contain the Chiefs rushing attack.

George Karlaftis vs. Trey Pipkins

The Chiefs rookie EDGE rusher had an excellent preseason that translated into a quality week one performance against the Cardinals. The power, explosion, and relentlessness that are Karlaftis’ hallmarks showcased themselves, helping to add to a terrific defensive line performance on the day. In tonight’s game, Karlaftis should find himself with a very advantageous matchup – against the Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins.

Pipkins has really struggled as a starting tackle for the Chargers over the past couple of years, and that continued in week one against the Raiders. Los Angeles had to provide plenty of protection to Pipkins throughout the day to keep Justin Herbert upright. That will likely be the case again tonight, but Karlaftis will still have some solo opportunities. If Karlaftis can gain a couple of quick rush wins against Pipkins, he can help to speed up Herbert’s timer and force the Chargers offense to be less effective.

Jaylen Watson vs. Mike Williams

After the Chiefs lost Trent McDuffie to injury, Jaylen Watson became the Chiefs third cornerback in sub-packages. As a long, physical cornerback, Watson was quickly able to make his presence felt against some of the Cardinals bigger receiving options. He was able to use his length to squeeze the boundary, knock receivers off the route, and contend at the catch point.

In tonight’s game, Watson will face a sterner test – and a lot more size and physicality to match his own. Williams is a massive player that wins at the catch point regularly over smaller cornerbacks, making Watson a prime candidate to defend him. The Chiefs have asked a lot of their rookie cornerbacks thus far, and they’ve passed the test thus far. If Watson can step in and perform well against one of the NFL’s best “big” receivers, the future could look even brighter than it already does for the young secondary.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Two-High shells

Brandon Staley’s defense – coming from the Vic Fangio tree – is focused on two deep safeties and late rotations at the snap to get into the actual coverage call. That means the defense always looks the same pre-snap and requires the quarterback to hang in the pocket a moment longer to diagnose the coverage. That defense has given Mahomes and the Chiefs offense some fits in the past, putting an extra focus on that matchup tonight.

With that said, the Chiefs have completely rebuilt the offense to try to counter some of the two-high defenses that they will inevitably be seeing this season. This is the first time that the Chiefs will see it – and therefore the first time we’ll get to see some of the features of the Chiefs rebuilt offense. Mahomes and company have a chance to put the league on notice with an efficient, effective performance tonight against a two-high structured defense.

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