The undefeated (4-0) Kansas City Chiefs take on the winless Los Angeles Chargers (0-5) on Sunday afternoon. The game will begin at 3:25 Arrowhead time and will be televised locally at CBS (KCTV-5).
The Chiefs enjoyed an early Week 5 Bye week, going undefeated and leading the AFC. In Week 4, the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 to remain undefeated.
Despite not playing last week, running back Kenneth Walker is second in the NFL with 537 rushing yards and is on pace for a huge season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has resurfaced in MVP form, but he’s lost to his receiving corps, with Tyquan Thornton likely out for the season and Rashee Rice slated to miss time with a hamstring injury.
Few saw the Chargers’ porous season coming, but they’re on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs before the end of October. The Chargers have yet to lose a game by more than one possession, but an onslaught of injuries and turnover issues have dogged them so far and will linger in this matchup.
Here are five things to watch.
The receiver room took a big hit with Thornton gone for the season, and Rice slated to miss time with a soft-tissue injury. While most of the Chiefs media scape is looking for outside help, this will give the Chiefs reserve wideouts a chance to show what they can do.
Cyrus Allen has been the talk of the Chiefs camp, but to this point in the season has played sparingly. He has yet to catch a pass and has played just 10 offensive snaps this season. The fifth-round pick from Cincinnati has been a training-camp and preseason darling, showing strong route running and good hands.
Second-year player Jalen Royals saw an increase in snaps and caught his first career touchdown pass in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Royals saw the field for 23% of offensive snaps in 2026, but only caught three passes.
The Chiefs signed Justin Watson to the practice squad this week, a reunion that returns a key member of back-to-back Super Bowl teams. During his time in Kansas City, Watson caught 42 passes for 785 yards and five touchdowns, and was at his best when going deep.
It will be worth monitoring if they activate other practice squad players like Andrew Armstrong or Omari Evans in the coming weeks. The Chiefs could make an outside move before the trade deadline, but they will give up their in-house options at first crack.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is having a terrible start to the 2026 season. He is tied for the league lead in turnovers with nine two-fumbles and seven interceptions—and ranks low in every major passing category.
Herbert has had some good games against the Chiefs recently, but with a decimated offensive line and below-average receivers, he has struggled mightily this season. Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel didn’t help the cause, but Herbert’s decision-making was poor, to say the least.
The Chiefs are tied for second in the NFL for turnover takeaway differential at +5 through four games.
The Chiefs defense has given up some points this season, but they have been opportunistic when it comes to getting the ball, and this week could be a good opportunity for them to add to their dominance in the takeaway category.
In his career against Kansas City, Herbert had 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 102.9 passer rating. He may struggle, but the Chiefs defense must bring their A-game to contain him.
3. Delane and Williams dominated
By now, there should be no doubt that general manager Brett Veach will find cornerbacks. A season after All-Pro Trent McDuffie was traded, his replacement, Mansoor Delane, is looking to contribute three career games.
Delane has been impressive, and his opposite number, Nohl Williams, has come into his own after a solid rookie season.
The Chargers’ two best wideouts, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, are both listed as questionable after missing a week, which could spoil a good matchup against corners.
Both corners have also been strong in run defense and will likely play big roles there this week.
4. Hurry pass with sacks
The Chiefs pass rush needs to pick it up, and this could be a get-right game for them.
Through four games, the Chiefs have recorded just four sacks, tied for the fewest in the NFL, and are in the middle of the pack with 39 total pressures.
Herbet was pressured third most in the NFL—42 times—and sacked second, 17 times.
The Chargers will play a makeshift offensive line this week, so the Chiefs pass rush must find a way to get home on passing downs, starting up front with the defensive line.
It was a big week for the Chiefs offensive line in more ways than one. With tackle Josh Simmons in some capacity, he’ll likely return to the starting five in the coming weeks, leaving Jaylon Moore or rookie standout Kahlil Benson as the odd man out.
Another situation to monitor is the left guard spot. In Week 4 against Las Vegas, Mike Caliendo unexpectedly earned the starting spot over Kingsley Suamataia, who started every game this season and last season at the position.
Reid didn’t clarify the reason at the press conference, but he did mention that Suamataia will be back in the mix this week.
By all accounts, Suamataia has played well this season, so his absence has been more of a mystery than anything else.
Overall, the offensive line has played well this season, and the Chiefs will need them to win this game.