Can the Chargers Beat the Chiefs in the AFC West?

The 2022 NFL season is quickly approaching and many fans can’t wait to see how the AFC West plays out. It’s, arguably, the toughest division to play in this season, made up of four teams who could easily challenge for Super Bowl LVII next February.

One of the four teams vying for the AFC West crown is the Los Angeles Chargers. They’re an up-and-coming team that’s made some significant defense changes over the offseason, hoping to win their division for the first time since 2009.

Standing in the Chargers’ way is none other than the Kansas City Chiefs. They’re a team that’s won the AFC West in each of the last six seasons and even though they traded away Tyreek Hill this offseason, they’re still viewed as the group to beat.

Here’s a look at whether or not the Chargers can beat the Chiefs to win the AFC West this season.

Chargers vs. Chiefs Head-to-Head History

If the Chargers want to win the division, a big part of that means they need to beat the Chiefs in their two meetings.

Last season, the two clubs split their regular-season meetings, with the Chargers winning 30-24 in Week 3 before the Chiefs scored a 34-28 overtime win in Week 15.

Having said that, it’s been the Chiefs who’ve dominated their divisional rivals in recent history. Kansas City has won seven of its last 10 games against Los Angeles, with five of those victories coming since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018.

On the other hand, the Chargers proved that they could handle the Chiefs last season. Sure, they ended up losing a game, but it’s important to remember that it went to overtime and had things gone a bit differently, the Chargers could’ve gone 2-0 against the Chiefs.

Chargers Have the Offense to Challenge Chiefs

One of the toughest parts of trying to beat the Chiefs stems from the fact that Kansas City tends to boast an elite offense.

Mahomes is one of the best gunslingers in the game, while Travis Kelce is the NFL’s top tight end. Throw in a solid supporting cast of the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Clyde Edwards-Helaire and it’s easy to see the type of damage this offense can do.

The good news for Chargers fans is that their team can match even the best firepower. While the Chiefs finished the 2021 campaign averaging 29.4 points per game (No. 4), the Chargers were right there behind them with 27.9 PPG (No. 5).

Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert is coming off a season that saw him record 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdowns to 15 interceptions in 17 games. He has a pair of highly talented wide receivers at his disposal in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, who could both go for over 1,000 yards in any given year.

That isn’t even to mention running back Austin Ekeler, who’s among the top dual-threats in the backfield. The former Western State product racked up 1,558 total yards from scrimmage on 276 touches last year, leading the league with 20 total rushing and receiving TDs.

There should be several shootouts among AFC West teams this season and the Chargers won’t be an exception. Fortunately, they have the firepower to match whatever the Chiefs throw at them.

Improved Chargers Defense

Despite the Chargers having a talented offense last year, the defense was the complete opposite. They surrendered 27.0 PPG, which ranked third-worst in the NFL, only ahead of the Detroit Lions and New York Jets.

That’s exactly why general manager Tom Telesco went out and signed cornerback J.C. Jackson this offseason. The 26-year-old defender will add some much-needed talent to the secondary as he comes off a 2021 season that saw him named to the Pro Bowl, as well as second-team All-Pro.

That isn’t all Telesco did. He went out and traded for former 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack. Though the veteran didn’t have the best year for the Chicago Bears last fall, he still has enough in the tank to help the Chargers turn things around.

Throw that duo into a defense that already boasts the likes of Joey Bosa, Asante Samuel Jr. and Austin Johnson and it’s not difficult to like this unit a lot better than the 2021 version.

Though the Chargers’ defense looks solid on paper, they still need to prove themselves on the field. If everything goes as planned, the unit should give Mahomes and the Chiefs a tougher time than before.

Considering that Kansas City’s defense isn’t anything special, the Chargers’ defenders stepping up could be a key to an AFC West victory.

AFC West Odds 2022

Odds via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Friday, Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. ET

• Kansas City Chiefs (+155)
• Los Angeles Chargers (+240)
• Denver Broncos (+260)
• Las Vegas Raiders (+700)

As you can see, the Chiefs and Chargers are the top two picks to win the AFC West during the 2022 NFL season. Unsurprisingly, Kansas City is the favorite due to its history of winning the division, however, the fact that Los Angeles is that close shows how oddsmakers view the Chargers as a legitimate threat.

Can the Chargers Beat the Chiefs to Win the AFC West?

The AFC West is usually a predictable race to call, but that’s not the case in 2022. The Chargers have built a legitimate Super Bowl contender and must take advantage of the state that the Chiefs are in.

The Chiefs’ defense looked atrocious in the playoffs and the loss of Hill could cause offensive struggles. Sure, the Chargers have other teams to worry about, but now is the best time to usurp Kansas City as the division leader.

If Herbert continues to progress and the defense meets expectations, winning the AFC West is well within the realm of possibility for the Chargers.