It's fair to say that the Los Angeles Chargers have too much talent on their roster to be 0-5, but our 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs still have a clear advantage in nearly every statistical category that matters. Common opponents between the Chiefs and Chargers tell a very clear story. KC destroyed Bo Nix's Broncos in Week 1, but Denver defeated the Chargers in Week 4. The Chiefs defense held Nix to his worst Passer Rating of his season so far - 69.2 - while the Chargers lost to Denver and allowed Nix to earn his second-highest Rating of the season - 82.8. The Chiefs went on to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders and held Kirk Cousins to a 85.8 Passer Rating. Kirk posted a Rating of 113.1 when he led Vegas to a victory over the Chargers in Week 3.
A lot of Los Angeles' problems must be blamed on the inconceivable regression of Justin Herbert. Miami's Malik Willis is the only person considered a full-time starter who has a Passer Rating lower than Herbert right now. With his help, the Chargers are tied for the second-worst turnover ratio in the league at -5. KC is second-best in the league with a +5. The Chargers are generating the 8th- fewest yards per game, while the Chiefs are averaging the second-most.
The only way this turns into a trap game is if KC fails to convert on third downs. The Chargers' defense actually excels on third down, but their offense, shockingly, does not. The Chargers' defense allows opponents to convert on third downs only 31.25% of the time, which is the fifth-best rate in the league. While that's better than the Chiefs' defense, which still ranks 11th in this regard, the Chiefs' offense ranks ninth in the league at converting on third down. Herbert and the Chargers' offense ranks 26th.
Now that I'm putting all their statistical ineptitude down in one place, it almost feels mean. I really don't know how it got this bad for them, but something between new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and the naturally gifted, once-great Justin Herbert just doesn't work. Figuring out why will be fascinating work for some Chargers blogger out there, but I'm happy with my unique responsibilities detailing continued greatness here in the Kingdom. I'm predicting a 27-17 victory for Kansas City.
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