September 19, 2020
By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
It’s time for another meeting between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, two long time AFC west rivals, a rivalry that dates back to the start of the American Football League in 1960. The Chiefs and Chargers have played 120 games in their 60 year history of the series with the Chiefs winning 11 out of the last 12 games.
Both the Chiefs and Chargers began the 2020 season with a win as the Chiefs were two TD’s better than Houston and the Chargers were a field goal better than Cincinnati. This early season matchup is interesting enough that CBS is sending their top NFL broadcast crew to cover it, with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo calling the game.
Anytime the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs take the field this season a lot of network coverage will be expected as the team has proven to not only be successful on the field but entertaining as well. Last week all eyes were on Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes but in the end everyone was impressed by the debut of rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. CEH, as he is called by Chiefs fans, carried 25 times for 138 yards in the team’s 34-20 win over Houston. The Chargers used a 10 point fourth quarter for a 16-13 comeback win over the Bengals.
While many players and coaches for the Chiefs and Chargers are familiar with the teams and the rivalry there are a few new things to be aware of. The Chargers for the first time since 2004 have a new signal caller as Tyrod Taylor takes over for the departed Phillip Rivers. RB Melvin Gordon also left the Chargers during the off season. Someone named Austin Ekeler led the Chargers in their game. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has enough new parts to make things difficult for the visiting Chiefs.
The Chiefs riding a 10 game winning streak hope to go 2-0 for the fourth straight year with a road win on Sunday. To do that the Chiefs will have to beat the Chargers at one of the two new football stadiums debuting in the NFL this season. It’s a 76,252 seat place called SoFi Stadium. However the Chargers are one of the NFL teams not allowing fans at games so expect a different sound from what the Chiefs experienced in front of 16,000 last week at Arrowhead. With a win on Sunday, the Chiefs will add SoFi to the list of places they have beaten the Chargers since the team left San Diego. That list includes Mexico City last season and the Stub Hub Center in 2018.
The name on the stadium is new, the site of the game is different, but a very familiar outcome will be seen by fans on TV as the Chiefs return home with another AFC West victory and a 2-0 record. That’s What I REID Into It for this week.
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