Kansas City Chiefs: 6 things to watch vs Chargers in week 2

4. Chargers will lean on the run if possible

Los Angeles fared nicely in the run game in their week 1 outing, totaling 155 yards on the ground. Austin Ekeler led the way with 19 carries for 84 yards while fourth round rookie Joshua Kelley broke out in a big way, carrying the rock 12 times for 60 yards and a trip into the end zone.

If the Chargers can get their run game going early, they’ll stick with it as long as possible. The problem that could arise for them, however, is if the Chiefs get up by double digits in the first half, forcing LA to switch to more of an aerial attack. The passing game isn’t going to be the Chargers’ M.O. this year, so if they can run the ball successfully and keep the game close, they’ll roll with their running backs for sure.

Let’s get into why the passing game might not be all that prevalent.

5. Tyrod Taylor’s mediocre Chargers debut

Tyrod Taylor has been a journeyman at the quarterback position and the reins were handed to him in Los Angeles while rookie Justin Herbert strolls the sidelines and learns the system. Taylor did not have eye popping stats in week 1, going just 16 of 30 for 207 yards with a QBR of 23.6.

Taylor didn’t make mistakes, but he didn’t make a ton of plays either, and that’s something he can’t repeat this week if he wants his team to have any shot against the reigning Super Bowl champs. Taylor has had success against Kansas City before, but that was during his days in Buffalo and this Chiefs team looked entirely different.

Looking at how poorly the Bengals defense played against Cleveland on Thursday night, the fact that Taylor could only muster up a little over 200 yards and couldn’t find the end zone once isn’t a good sign of what’s to come for the Bolts.

If the Chiefs take a commanding lead early on, it’ll be tough for Taylor to carry the Chargers offense on his shoulders for the duration of the game.