Chiefs scouting report: Chargers coach sees one area that needs immediate improvement

The Chiefs have won their last three meetings against the Chargers, and six of the previous eight, but the games haven’t been blowouts.

Those three victories in the current streak have been by a combined 12 points, and the Chargers have won three of the previous five games with the Chiefs played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. One of those games, however, was when the Chiefs rested their starters in the 2020 season finale.

LA will return to Arrowhead on Sunday, looking to get back on track after losing 20-17 to the Cowboys on Monday.

Each week, I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here is a quick scouting report of the Chargers, 2-3. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, and the game will air on CBS (Ch. 5 in Kansas City).

1. Running troubles

Running back Austin Ekeler returned to the Chargers on Monday after missing four weeks because of an ankle injury.

Ekeler caught four passes for 35 yards, but he rushed for only 27 yards on 14 attempts against the Cowboys. The Chargers had just 53 yards rushing in 23 attempts.

After piling up 233 rushing yards in a season-opening loss to the Dolphins, the Chargers have just 259 yards since. And they’ve had 61 or fewer yards on the ground in three of those last four games.

“I think our inability to run the football allowed their rush to really express itself,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley told reporters Monday. “They were able to play their type of game most of the game, and they’ve got a lot of good rushers so there’s going to be pressure. We’ve got to do better running the football.”

2. Justin Herbert’s 4th-quarter woes

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was given an F grade from the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Nick Canepa for his effort Monday.

Herbert, who was under pressure for much of the game, completed 22 of 37 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. But he threw a terrible interception that clinched the loss.

ESPN’s Ed Werder noted Herbert’s propensity for throwing interceptions in the fourth quarter.

“Justin Herbert threw his 13th career interception in the 4th quarter of a one-score game (against the Cowboys),” Werder wrote. “That’s 5 more than any other QB in the NFL since entering the league in 2020.”

Herbert broke a finger during a game earlier this month but he didn’t miss any time because the Chargers had their bye in Week 5. But the finger was taped during the loss to Dallas.

3. Keenan Allen’s strong start

Wide receiver Keenan Allen is playing great. He is tied for fifth in the NFL with 42 receptions in five games (8.4 per game). More than half of those catches (23) have resulted in a Chargers first down.

Allen has 519 receiving yards, which ranks fourth in the NFL, and his four touchdown receptions are tied for the fourth-most in the league.

Herbert’s next favorite target is Mike Williams, who has 19 catches for 249 receiving yards.

4. Defensive struggles

The Chargers’ defense is 31st in yards allowed (391.6 per game), ahead of only the Broncos. But LA’s scoring defense is a little better, ranking 23rd (24.8 per game).

Opponents are averaging 289.0 passing yards per game against the Chargers, who rank 32nd in that category.

Opposing wide receivers have 73 receptions for 1,104 yards in five games this season, so the Chiefs’ wideouts may get a chance to break out.

5. Mighty (Khalil) Mack

Despite playing one fewer game than the teams ahead of them, the Chargers are tied for third in the NFL with 21 sacks.

Khalil Mack leads the way with seven sacks, and six came against the Raiders earlier this month. Mack also has seven quarterback hits and six tackles for loss. He has 23 tackles.

Defensive end Joey Bosa, who missed the previous Chargers game because of a toe injury, returned Monday had had two tackles.