It's hard to think of a much better way to start Week 15 in the NFL than with this AFC West battle. The Kansas City Chiefs come in at 11-2 and the Los Angeles Chargers come in just a game behind. They would clinch the division title with a win and move one step closer to clinching home-field throughout the AFC playoffs. If the Chargers win, the Chiefs still would lead the division on a tiebreaker, but it would put pressure on the Chiefs to win their last two games. The Chargers can also clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Chargers come into the game banged up. They have lost nine straight against Kansas City, and have to go into a rowdy Arrowhead Stadium. That's a recipe for disaster.
How to Watch Chiefs vs. Chargers: Week 15
Where: Kansas City, Missouri
Start: Thursday, Dec. 13, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV Network: FOX, NFL Network
Stream Online: Watch live with fuboTV
The Chargers have coasted to a 10-3 record, but not a ton of people have talked about them as an AFC powerhouse. They have been in the shadow of the Chiefs' sensational season. They also don't really have home games, considering a ton of opposing fans show up when they play in Los Angeles. They got out in front early against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, nearly blew the lead, and ended up prevailing in a close game. They have a tough task this week with running back Melvin Gordon being a game-time decision and Austin Ekeler out. They are asking rookie Justin Jackson to carry the load against one of the best teams in the NFL in a raucous atmosphere. No pressure, kid. Philip Rivers continues to play great. Keenan Allen is over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. The key will be if the Chargers defense can stop the Chiefs offense, which is asking a lot. Because even if Joey Bosa and company generate a pass rush after Patrick Mahomes, he finds ways to improvise and makes ridiculous throws down the field.
Mahomes made a throw last week to Tyreek Hill on a fourth down that was out of a video game. It saved the game for the Chiefs, who went on to win in overtime by a field goal over the Baltimore Ravens. Mahomes leads the NFL in TD passes with 43, and he'll be chucking away with no great options in the backfield: He threw the ball 53 times last week. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill will play, though he's not 100 percent healthy. Travis Kelce is looking for a TD grab in his fourth straight game for this dynamic offense. On defense, unheralded Chris Jones leads the team with 11.5 sacks, and is the only player since 1982 with a sack in nine consecutive games in a single season. When the Chiefs beat the Chargers, 38-28 in Week 1, Anthony Hitchens had 14 tackles.
