The Chargers have one of the league's best quarterbacks in Justin Herbert. Because if one thing has become apparent during what has been a rollercoaster first half of the season for the Chargers, it is this — they can mostly adjust when Herbert and the offense struggles, not the other way around. Brandon Staley's defense had one of its best games since he became coach in 2021 during Monday night's 27-6 victory over the New York Jets.
The Chargers and the Chiefs have been predictably good on offense this season, at least statistically, which means in the complementary world of the NFL, the difference in their records probably resides on the opposite side of the ball. The Chargers are 2-3 largely because they allow more yards than all but one team in the league. The Chiefs are 5-1 thanks to a defense that allows fewer points than all but one.