Week 15 game preview: Chiefs enter must-win clash with Chargers behind bruised offensive line
With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Kansas City must protect Mahomes and not let Herbert surprise them again to keep their season alive.
Week 15 is the first time of the season that the Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) will play a divisional opponent for the second time. And a lot has changed since they last played the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4).
Hopes were high for the three-time defending AFC Champions back in Week 1 when the Chiefs faced the Chargers in Brazil just over three months ago. A 27-21 loss in São Paulo was chalked up as opening night jitters, or the team playing with a lack of ‘emotion,’ and coming out ‘flat,’ as head coach Andy Reid put it that night.
Well, in hindsight, it was much more than that, and it was an indication of how the season was going to go. Fifteen weeks later, Kansas City has only won six games since that night.
A second loss to Los Angeles this Sunday could mathematically eliminate the Chiefs from the playoffs, depending on the outcomes of some other games around the league. With three weeks to go, their odds would be microscopic at best.
“We understand we got to win, that’s obvious,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “You got to win the football game. Whatever it takes. We say that every week, but obviously, you’re at that back-against-the-wall type spot where you’re playing a team that you’re chasing that has a big lead in front of you, so you have to find a way to win.”
A much higher level view of what a loss would be a streak of 10-straight playoff appearances, seven-straight conference championship appearances, and three-straight Super Bowl appearances, all coming to a screeching halt.
After a frustrating 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans last week, a team they are fighting with for a final playoff spot, the Chiefs have turned the page to face another team they are battling for a shot in January.
“I think they’re eager to get back on the field and get going,” head coach Andy Reid said. “Everybody knows. They know where we stand right now. They know what’s taken place (and are) very aware. But they also like to work, so we’ll get back to it.”
Despite the teams being three games apart in the standings, the Chiefs are currently favored by 5.5 in this one. That could be because the odds makers are waiting for it all to click, just like the fans have been. Even as grim as it is, the Chiefs’ point differential is plus-63, while the Chargers are sitting at plus-28, despite sitting five games above .500.
Kansas City is more than capable of winning this game to stay alive, even with a banged-up offensive line.
“We’re in an unprecedented territory,” Mahomes said. “Someplace that we haven’t been since I’ve been here. I think you lean on the guys that have battled through adversity and came out better on the other side. That’s Chris (Jones), Trav (Kelce), all of these guys that have won championships. It hasn’t always been pretty, but it’ll really test us to see what type of character we are, and I think we got the guys in the room to do it.”
Los Angeles has taken losses to losing teams such as the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders. They have lost to the Indianapolis Colts by two touchdowns and the Jacksonville Jaguars by four touchdowns.
They are a defensive-first team, allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game and the 10th-fewest points. They pair that with a top-10 rushing offense, and after missing more than two months, they now have their first-round rookie running back, Omarion Hampton, atop their depth chart. They have stayed the course to a 9-4 record, an extremely banged-up offensive line, too.
“They’ve been banged up a little bit up front, but they worked through it,” Reid said. “Tough quarterback, playing aggressive football, and they’re well coached. Defensively, they’re one of the top defenses … they’re one of the top defenses in a few of those categories that are important, so it’s a nice challenge.”
That right there will likely make this a slugfest for Kansas City, which has not boded well for them this season. Their Week 12 win over the Colts is currently their only win in a one-score game. Additionally, a win over the Chargers would be the Chiefs’ only win on the season over a team in the current AFC playoff field.
If the game turns into a low-scoring afair, that may tip the scales to Los Angeles’ favor, but there is one advantage Kansas City can exploit for itself.
Earlier this season, bookend tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt were placed on season-ending injured reserve, and quarterback Justin Herbert has been paying the price. Only two teams in the NFL have allowed more sacks than the Chargers, 47.
Granted, only seven teams have fewer sacks than the Chiefs, but the way defensive tackle Chris Jones was getting off the ball in Arrowhead last week against the Houston Texans, it would not shock if this was an All-Pro performance by the 31-year-old.
Defensive end George Karlaftis actually leads the team in sacks with six and will need to make his presence felt as well. Herbert has a 101.9 passer rating against the blitz, so the defensive line itself will need to play well.
Behind a make-shift offensive line, Herbert is just 11th in the league in passing this season, to go along with a 22-to-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio. One thing to look for in this matchup, though, is his legs.
“The quarterback (Herbert) is an issue, both with his arm and with his feet,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think he’s playing outstanding … He refuses to go down in certain situations, and he just fights tooth and nail and finds a way to will this team to wins.”
The sixth-year starter has set a career high in rushing, accounting for 419 yards on the ground. Aside from his legs, wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen are his go-tos. Between Herbert’s rushing and those two wide receivers, they combined for 174 yards in Week 1.
Thinking the Chargers were going to come out running in Week 1, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was caught off guard by Herbert’s 34 pass attempts to 16 rush attempts by running backs. Herbert wound up throwing 318 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions with the Chiefs expecting the run.
“I remember going into that game thinking they’ll try and control the football with the run game, and boom, they came out, and I think that first drive, they might’ve ran it twice,” Spagnuolo said. “ … We’ll see. They do both (running and passing) really effectively.”
Last week, Kansas City’s defense allowed the Texans to tally just 62 yards throughout the entire second half. With the uncertainty of the Chiefs’ offense, they will need more of that intensity in Week 15.
“We’re going to need it at noon on Sunday,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “We’re going to have to keep bringing it in all three phases. We have to at this point, or it will be over for us.”
When the Chiefs have the ball, it will come down to how well they protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With backup left tackle Wanya Morris likely out for the season and starting left tackle Josh Simmons on IR, it will likely be last week’s third stringer, undrafted rookie Esa Pole, who will get the start.
“If he’s going to be in there, he’s showed some nice things; it’s always a challenge the second time when they have tape on you,” Reid said. “So, if you’re getting in there, you better keep practicing and detailing your work.”
That is, of course, depending on the availability of right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who has not practiced this week due to a lingering triceps issue. Swing tackle Jaylon Moore is likely to man the post at that spot.
The big question will be whether or not Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith will be able to suit up. After missing the last two games, he has logged a full practice on Wednesday, followed by a limited practice on Thursday. If he is unable to go, it will once again be backup guard Mike Caliendo who steps in.
“I thought they did a great job (against the Texans) of fighting and battling and giving me time to make some of these throws down the field,” Mahomes said. “They’ll have to continue that. This is another great challenge for them, and hopefully, we get some guys back as well.”
If the depleted offensive line can handle defensive tackle Tuli Tuipulotu and defensive ends Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh, Mahomes should be able to poke holes in the middle of the Chargers’ defense.
Without Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice in Week 1, it was wide receivers Hollywood Brown, who will not dress for this game, and JuJu Smith-Schuster who were able to exploit the Los Angeles secondary. Tyquan Thornton also burned the Chargers’ secondary for a 38-yard catch.
In the loss, head coach Andy Reid called only 10 run plays for his running backs. The game script could determine this, but Reid mentioned he would have liked a more balanced attack in that game.
One thing the Chiefs will undoubtedly have to improve this week is execution. They recorded a season-high six drops last week, most of which would have resulted in chain-moving first downs.
“I got trust in the guys,” Reid said. “That’s not a common thing for the guys that have had some mishaps there. They’ll work through it, that’s what you do.”
That said, in 2025, the Chiefs are as unpredictable as they come. Despite all the uncertainty, the path forward is simple. They can win, or they can watch the curtain fall on an era of unprecedented success.
If they can protect Mahomes and contain Herbert, the Chiefs will earn another week in the fight. If not, the longest sustained run in the AFC may end on their own home turf.
What gives Mahomes confidence that the team can win four games in a row, despite winning just six in 13 games?
“Just kind of how I’m wired,” Mahomes said. “I believe that this team can win any football game, but we have to come and show that. It should be a great challenge for us, and we understand that.”
Key injuries
Chiefs: Right tackle Jawaan Taylor (triceps) has not practiced this week, while right guard Trey Smith (ankle) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (knee) have been limited. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown (personal) will be out for Week 15.
Chargers: Quarterback Justin Herbert played last week with a recently repaired fractured left hand and has been limited this week. Offensive tackle Trey Pipkins (ankle) has also not practiced, and wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) has been limited.
Key game details
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT
TV/Streaming: CBS
Broadcasters: Kevin Harlan and Trent Green
Radio: 96.5 The Fan
Head Referee: Shawn Hochuli
Betting Line: Chiefs -5.5 | Moneyline: -260 | Over/Under: 41.5
Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy, low of 24°, winds light and variable, 1% chance of precipitation