The Los Angeles Chargers enter an unfavorable 0-5 versus 4-0 contrast heading into their upcoming matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a recent weekly column published by BILD. After high preseason expectations, the Chargers’ offense is averaging just 16.8 points per game under a coaching staff featuring Adam Gase, while the undefeated Chiefs are coming off a bye week under head coach Andy Reid.
Preseason Expectations Meet Early Season Struggles
For six seasons, the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert have entered autumn carrying the label of a dark-horse favorite among analysts and observers. That optimism regularly dissolves into early autumn disappointment. Following a 24-24 tenure under Brandon Staley that ended with a midseason dismissal, the franchise turned to Giff Smith on an interim basis before landing Jim Harbaugh as head coach in January 2024. Harbaugh arrived with a long football lineage, having starred as a quarterback at the University of Michigan before embarking on an NFL career that included 26,288 passing yards and later returning to the sideline to claim a national championship at Michigan alongside a Super Bowl appearance with the San Francisco 49ers.
Justin Herbert before and after getting engaged to Madison Beer:Before After.547 Win % .000261 Pass YPG 1871.7 TDs/game 1.00.6 INT/game 1.4 pic.twitter.com/cnKgu0Ii8B
Coaching Staff Additions and Offensive Struggles
Seeking to elevate the offense around Herbert—who threw 31 touchdown passes as a rookie in 2020 to earn AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors—the front office added Adam Gase alongside other staff members. That pairing has not yielded immediate offensive production. Five weeks into the current schedule, the Chargers’ attack averages 16.8 points per contest and has accumulated 13 turnovers, ranking near the bottom of the NFL in offensive output.
Kenneth Walker III Boosts the Undefeated Chiefs
While the Chargers attempt to correct their offensive trajectory, their next opponent presents a formidable challenge. The Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their backfield during the offseason by adding running back Kenneth Walker III, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks. Walker has rushed for 537 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. That ground threat has opened up opportunities for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who enters the matchup averaging 259.3 passing yards per game with nine touchdown passes. Kansas City averages 29.5 points per contest, placing them among the top five scoring offenses in the league.
Andy Reid After the Bye Week
The matchup carries starkly divergent trajectories for both organizations, with the Chargers sitting at a disadvantage against a rested opponent. The Chiefs held a bye week during the previous slate of games, affording head coach Andy Reid extra preparation time. Historical records show Reid’s teams hold a 22-5 record in regular-season games following a bye week.
#Chargers OC Mike McDaniel on his job security being a topic after 4 games:“I would be foolish or I’d feel entitled if I didn’t expect there to be disappointment that comes with the territory of the job. … I don’t expect to get praised through failure.” Full answer: pic.twitter.com/AC8TLZaeUl
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