KC Chiefs: Getting to know Los Angeles Chargers before week 17

The KC Chiefs’ 2019 regular season finale has arrived and it’ll come against the 5-10 Los Angeles Chargers. Let’s get to know the Bolts in preparation for the final game of the regular season.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to play for this weekend while the Los Angeles Chargers do not, other than to potentially play spoiler. To get to know the Chargers a little bit better for Sunday’s game, I reached out to Tyler Schoon of Bolt Beat, which is FanSided’s Chargers site (think Arrowhead Addict, but all Chargers content).

Without further ado, here is my conversation with Tyler!

~~~

1) Last season the Chargers went 12-4 and battled for the division title. This year, they have five wins. What happened for such a big drop off like that to occur?

Tyler: This season has been a collection of errors from every aspect of the team. Some were unexpected, like the team’s left tackle suffering from a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, or Derwin James being stepped on at practice and bending a screw in his foot. Others were absolutely the fault of the general manager, particularly at right tackle and left tackle. Once their left tackle was projected to be out indefinitely, Tom Telesco didn’t do anything to fix the issue or at least bring in insurance in the event of another injury. An undrafted free agent and a Day 3 pick starter on either side. Surprise surprise, it didn’t go well.

But the biggest issue many did not expect was how frequently Philip Rivers would make terrible decisions. It’s one thing to lose arm strength, and the team is used to his lack of mobility. But some of his interceptions were purely mental errors, which is the most concerning of all. It cost them the Mexico City game earlier in the year, as you’re aware. 

2) Playing off that question a bit, what were the expectations for the Chargers heading into this year?

Tyler: The Chargers were expected to go further than they did last year. They weren’t a perfect team, but seeing as they went 12-4 in 2018 with the same team returning this year, most projected the Chargers to be a 10 or 11-win team. 

3) Who has been the Chargers MVP in 2019?

Tyler: Joey Bosa is easily the team’s MVP this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Bosa is second in total tackles and first in run stops among all edge defenders. That’s incredible for a defensive end who is more known for being a pass rusher. Speaking of which: According to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Bosa is just the 10th player in NFL history to have 40 sacks in his first 50 games. He’s going to get paid, big time. 

4) Finish this sentence. The Chargers starting quarterback in 2020 is…

Tyler: The Chargers starting quarterback in 2020 is Tyrod Taylor…temporarily. They will likely open the season with the veteran signal-caller ahead of a rookie draft pick, though they will look to make the transition to the future of the franchise down the line. 

5) KC still has a lot to play for this weekend. What are the Chargers’ chances of playing spoiler this Sunday at Arrowhead?

Tyler: The Chargers would have a great chance to play spoiler this weekend had they looked like a team who wanted to show up and win over the past two weeks. Had this been a game the Chargers had an interest in winning, I absolutely believe they could upset the Chiefs, just as they did a year ago. However, though this isn’t true for the entire team, it looked like many players were going through the motions last week against the Raiders. They can make it competitive, but I fully expect them to roll over in the second half an ensure their high draft pick. 

6) Who is an under the radar player on both offense and on defense that the Chiefs need to watch out for on Sunday?

Tyler: Derek Watt is the lesser-known guy to watch on offense. Voted as a Pro-Bowl alternate at fullback this season, Watt has been the key to finishing drives in the end zone. The Chargers paid the price for not using a fullback at the goal line throughout the season, but it appears they’ve gone back to using Watt to either lead the way or get the score himself. 

On defense, the Chiefs should be on the lookout for Drue Tranquill, who has started to play about half of the team’s defensive snaps in a timeshare with run-stopper Denzel Perryman. Tranquill is the only Chargers rookie who has made a significant impact this season, and fans hope he closes out the season on a positive note this Sunday.

7) What positions will the Chargers look to address in the 2020 draft?

Tyler: The Chargers, if they follow my prediction for the 2020 starter at quarterback, will look to add a rookie QB this draft. They will also address the offensive tackle position, as their experiment at right tackle has failed them consistently this past year. In an arms race with the Chiefs, the Chargers should also consider a corner early on, because the AFC West is only growing more and more competitive on offense.

8) Lastly, what’s your prediction for this game?

Tyler: The Chargers and Chiefs might be close heading into half, but I fully expect the Chargers to ease up in the second half. Not every player will do that, but once others do, the Chiefs will take a commanding lead. Chiefs by 17.

Just for funzies: Who do you dislike more, the Raiders or the Broncos?

Tyler: I despise the Broncos more, but that’s a personal preference since my Dad is a Raiders fan. Besides, the Raiders haven’t been outstanding in my lifetime outside of the old Gruden days, so there hasn’t really been much of a rivalry between them in the years I’ve been a Chargers fan. 

~~~

Thanks again to Tyler Schoon for taking the time to answer my questions! Be sure to check out his work over at Bolt Beat.