KC Chiefs: What we learned about each team in AFC West after week 9

WHAT DID WE LEARN ABOUT THE CHARGERS?

The Los Angeles Chargers must be an incredibly frustrating team to be a fan of. One week they’re getting gashed by a Steelers team on its third string quarterback and another week, they’re dismantling one of the best teams in the NFC in the Packers.

Despite probably 70% of LA’s stadium being filled with Packer fans, the Chargers didn’t lay down and die. In fact, they crushed the Packers, winning it 26-11. It was 9-0 at half time and LA stepped on the gas pedal in the third quarter, at one point leading 19-3 at the end of the third quarter.

The LA defense deserves the credit for this win, as they sacked Aaron Rodgers three times and held him to 161 yards and a solo touchdown, which came in garbage time. Up until that point, he had been stifled. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram did their thing in this game and showed that when the Chargers pass rush is at full strength, they’re still quite lethal.

The run game finally (and I can’t stress the finally part enough) got going, totaling 159 yards and two touchdowns with Melvin Gordon going for 80 yards off of 20 carries and scoring both touchdowns. It was a long time coming for Gordon, who has had a tough season.

I’ve said it before in these posts, but the Chargers have historically been a team that either starts slow and then gets cooking or vice versa. They’re 4-5 now and had just a few things gone their way in a few other game, they could have made the AFC West race a little tighter.

It’s not too late just yet, but we can’t completely rule the Los Angeles Chargers out of playoff contention. They’ll look to keep the win streak going on a short week in the Black Hole against the Raiders on Thursday Night Football.