SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 14: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs tackle the Los Angeles Chargers in an anticipated AFC West showdown — here are five bold predictions for their Week 3 match.
The Kansas City Chiefs were the best NFL team last season, and the game log proves it: they were the only NFL team to go 14-2 in the regular season.
Notably, the only two losses they suffered were at the hand of their despised AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers.
While facing the Chargers again after their 38-21 loss may appear threatening, looks can be deceiving: The Chiefs took a loss to rest their starters in Week 16, giving the Chargers an easy win.
But that won’t be the case come Sunday, as the Chiefs have a little more to prove this week after an unexpected one-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Instead, this will be a frightening game for the Chargers as they become the victim in an Arrowhead match that will prove to be a declarative win for the rest of the season.
It may only be Week 3, but the Chiefs won’t stand to have their reputation sullied after an early loss — especially not by the Chargers.
Here are 5 bold predictions that will put the Chiefs firmly ahead of the Chargers in their AFC West divisional standings.
5. Tyreek Hill goes for 200
If there weren’t an NFL law that forbid taunting, it would be peace sign time at Arrowhead this Sunday when Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill goes for 200 yards for the first time this season.
NFL fans know that Cheetah is elusive enough to easily put up 200, but it hasn’t happened yet this season. Hill came close in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, catching 11 of 15 targets for 197 yards and a touchdown.
But Hill was effectively shut down in one of Week 2’s most anticipated matchups, when Hill lined up against Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Humphrey held Hill to a meager three catches on four targets for 14 yards.
Humphrey is one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, and against the Chargers at home, the Chiefs are poised for a comeback — especially Hill.
When the Chiefs played the Chargers early last season, Hill couldn’t break 100, getting only 99 yards on five receptions.
Getting 200 will still be a challenge for Hill, as Chargers rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is already living in his father’s footsteps with an impressive two-game debut. In Week 2, it was Samuel Jr. who allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted, getting his first NFL reception last week against the Dallas Cowboys.
If it were any other team or any other receiver, it would be reasonable to expect a shutdown, but this is a Chiefs home game, and this is Tyreek Hill.