Don’t forget what Chargers were missing for last Chiefs game: ‘We’ve come a long way’

The Chargers’ Justin Herbert (10) embraces Patrick Mahomes (15) after a 17-10 Chiefs win at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers’ quarterback claims the team has changed plenty since that September meeting. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Justin Herbert’s haircut isn’t the only thing that’s changed since the Chargers last played the kings of the AFC West.

Not only will his light brown hair not be poking out of his helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but also the fully healthy quarterback heralded the Chargers’ offensive progress as “very positive” since they lost to their division rivals in Week 4.

“We’ve come a long way,” Herbert said Wednesday, sporting a new cut that trimmed the sides and back of his signature flowing locks. “We’ve definitely become closer as a team.”

More than two months after the Chargers first matched up with the Chiefs, they’ll get another shot at dethroning the longtime leaders Sunday at 5:20 p.m. PST in a rematch that has playoff implications. The Chiefs (11-1) can lock up their ninth consecutive AFC West title with a win at Arrowhead Stadium.

With three divisional rematches remaining in their final five games, the Chargers (8-4) are jockeying for a wild-card position with the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) and Denver Broncos (8-5).

The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs have won six consecutive games over the Chargers, with five victories — including a 17-10 win in SoFi Stadium on Sept. 29 — coming by one possession.

Still, the Week 4 matchup feels like a lifetime ago. The Chargers were without offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt because of injuries. Herbert was moving around on a sprained right ankle that was close to 20%.

Chargers starting offensive tackles Joe Alt (left) and Rashawn Slater missed the first meeting with the Chiefs because of injuries. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Since, the quarterback has heard “MVP” chants, scrambled for career-best rushes and delivered hard…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/dont-forget-chargers-were-missing-110035521.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-12-05 11:00:00

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