Nov. 16, 2019

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

Sometimes when things don’t go your way it helps to get away from it all and both the Kansas Chiefs and LA Chargers are certainly doing just that this week. Both teams will meet on Monday night in a crucial AFC West Division game to be played in Mexico City.

For the Chiefs it’s a take #2 as they were supposed to play the LA Rams in Mexico last November only to have the game moved back to the United States and played in Los Angeles. No field issues reported as of press time so it’s a go for the Chiefs to play down there this season against a team based in the LA area. Instead of feeling good about the team’s visit a week ago to Nashville and the return of QB Pat Mahomes the Chiefs are a deeply frustrated group after a 35-32 setback to the Titans. The loss gave the Chiefs their first road loss of the season and puts them at 6-4 overall. For now the Chiefs remain in first place in the AFC West but by kickoff time on Monday night they could be tied with the Oakland Raiders for the honor.

For the Chargers they also enter this game feeling down after a hard fought road loss to division rival Oakland 26-24 a week ago. Instead of a .500 record they visit Mexico at 4-6 and needing a win pretty badly. They feature the same big names that Chiefs fans saw last year at Arrowhead when the Chargers won 29-28 on December 13th thanks to a late two point conversion. QB Phillip Rivers is still with them throwing the ball to players like TE Hunter Henry and handing it off to RB Melvin Gordon. Second year DE Joey Bosa has also been a positive development for the team coached by Anthony Lynn.

The mindset this week for both of these teams couldn’t be further apart even though their goals are very much the same. The Chiefs reported QB Pat Mahomes is feeling better and the best since week one of the season. That bodes well the Chiefs who will be the visiting team in this game. Mahomes threw for 466 yards a week ago. Chiefs are also hoping to get a couple of O-Line starters back on the field Monday night. DE Frank Clark is feeling better and any quarterback pressure he can provide will be appreciated.

The Chargers this week have been training in Colorado Springs, Colorado as coach Lynn wants his players to be acclimated to the Mexico City altitude. Not many players liked spending the week away from family and friends and took to social media to share their displeasure. The Chiefs are comfortable on the road winning their first four road games this season and have won nine out of their last 10 meetings with the Chargers. In fact the Chiefs franchise has positive memories from playing in Mexico as the team beat Dallas 32-6 back in 1996. Chiefs players and fans will have another positive memory on Monday night as the Chiefs win a key AFC West Division contest in prime time. That’s What I REID Into it for this week.

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