Upcoming Rivalry Game for the Los Angeles Chargers

For the Los Angeles Chargers, Week 17’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just another regular-season game—it’s a divisional rivalry showdown with playoff lives on the line. The Chiefs, who have dominated the AFC West for the past seven seasons, enter the game with a 10-4 record, already clinching a playoff spot but fighting for the top seed. The Chargers, at 8-6, need a win to keep their own playoff hopes alive, making this clash at SoFi Stadium one of the most critical games of their season. Beyond the standings, the rivalry carries decades of history—marked by intense battles, last-minute heroics, and a fierce desire to claim bragging rights in the NFL’s toughest division. Upcoming Rivalry Game for the Los Angeles Chargers dives into the storylines, matchups, and stakes that make this game a must-watch, and how the Chargers are preparing to upset their division foes.

Upcoming Rivalry Game for the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the history of the Chargers-Chiefs rivalry, which dates back to the AFL era and has evolved into one of the NFL’s most competitive divisional matchups. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the two teams have faced off 128 times, with the Chiefs holding a narrow 67-61 edge (including playoffs). But recent history has tilted in Kansas City’s favor: the Chiefs have won 11 of the last 14 meetings, including a 31-17 victory earlier this season in Kansas City. That October loss still stings for the Chargers, who led 17-14 at halftime before the Chiefs pulled away behind Patrick Mahomes’ three touchdown passes. “This rivalry means everything to our players and our fans,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said in a press conference. “We know the Chiefs have had our number lately, but this is a new game, and we’re a better team than we were in October. We’re ready to write a new chapter in this rivalry.” For long-time Chargers fans, the game also evokes memories of classic matchups—like the 2018 “Monday Night Football” thriller, where Philip Rivers led the Chargers to a 29-28 comeback win, or the 2020 divisional playoff game, where the Chiefs narrowly edged the Chargers 28-24. These moments have only fueled the intensity, making every Chargers-Chiefs game feel like a playoff contest.

A defining storyline of the upcoming game is the quarterback showdown between Justin Herbert of the Chargers and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs—two of the NFL’s most dynamic young passers. Herbert, in his fourth season, has established himself as a franchise cornerstone, throwing for 3,800 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season. Mahomes, a two-time Super Bowl champion and NFL MVP, has been equally impressive, tallying 4,100 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions. Their head-to-head matchups have been nothing short of spectacular: in seven career meetings, Mahomes has a 5-2 record, but Herbert has averaged 280 passing yards per game and thrown 12 touchdowns, often keeping the Chargers in contention until the final minutes. “Going up against Patrick is always a challenge—he’s the best in the league,” Herbert said. “But we know what we’re capable of. We’ve moved the ball well against their defense in the past, and we just need to finish drives. That’s the key for us.” The Chiefs’ defense, which ranks 15th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, will likely focus on limiting Herbert’s favorite targets—Davante Adams and Mike Williams—using press coverage and blitzes to disrupt his rhythm. For Herbert, the game is a chance to prove he can beat the league’s top quarterbacks in high-pressure situations, a milestone that would solidify his status as an elite NFL passer.

Upcoming Rivalry Game for the Los Angeles Chargers also includes the critical defensive matchup between the Chargers’ pass rush and the Chiefs’ offensive line—a battle that could decide the game’s outcome for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs’ offensive line has been one of the league’s best this season, allowing just 20 sacks (tied for third-fewest in the NFL) and protecting Mahomes effectively in the pocket. But the Chargers’ pass rush, led by Bud Dupree (6 sacks) and Tuli Tuipulotu (4 sacks), has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, recording 8 sacks in their last two games. The Chargers’ defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has hinted at using creative blitz packages to confuse the Chiefs’ line, including sending Derwin James Jr. on edge rushes and using stunts to exploit gaps. “The Chiefs’ line is well-coached, but they have weaknesses,” Graham said. “We need to attack those weaknesses early and make Mahomes uncomfortable. If we can get consistent pressure, it will force him to make mistakes. For the Los Angeles Chargers, winning this matchup is non-negotiable—Mahomes is too dangerous when he has time to throw.” The Chargers will also need to contain Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who has rushed for 850 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, as the Chiefs often use the run to set up play-action passes.

Another key aspect of the upcoming game is the Chargers’ home-field advantage at SoFi Stadium, which could play a pivotal role in energizing the team and disrupting the Chiefs for the Los Angeles Chargers. SoFi Stadium, with a capacity of 70,240, has become one of the NFL’s loudest venues, and Chargers fans are expected to pack the stands for this rivalry clash. The team has a 5-3 home record this season, with their only losses coming against top-tier opponents (the Bills, Dolphins, and 49ers). The loud crowd can make it difficult for the Chiefs to communicate, especially on offense, where Mahomes relies on audibles and pre-snap adjustments. “Our fans are our 12th man,” Chargers offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer said. “When SoFi is rocking, it’s hard for the other team to hear anything. That can throw off their timing and give us an edge. For the Los Angeles Chargers, feeding off that energy is going to be crucial. We know our fans will be behind us, and we want to give them a win to remember.” The Chargers’ organization has also planned pre-game events—including a “Rivalry Rally” in the parking lot and a tribute to former Chargers greats—to fire up the crowd and build momentum before kickoff.

Finally, Upcoming Rivalry Game for the Los Angeles Chargers wraps up with the stakes of the game for the Los Angeles Chargers’ playoff hopes and their long-term standing in the AFC West. A win would improve the Chargers’ record to 9-6, keeping them in the hunt for a wild-card spot and potentially forcing a rematch with the Chiefs in the playoffs. A loss, however, would drop them to 8-7, putting their playoff chances in jeopardy, especially with a tough Week 18 game against the Broncos looming. Beyond this season, a win would also signal a shift in the division’s balance of power, showing that the Chargers can compete with the Chiefs on a consistent basis. “This game is about more than just one win—it’s about proving we belong,” general manager Tom Telesco said. “We’ve built this team to compete for championships, and beating the Chiefs in a game like this is a step toward that goal. For the Los Angeles Chargers, every player knows what’s at stake. They’ve put in the work this week, and they’re ready to perform when it matters most.” As kickoff approaches, the Chargers are focused on executing their game plan, limiting mistakes, and leaning on their playmakers to secure a victory. Upcoming Rivalry Game for the Los Angeles Chargers ultimately shows that in divisional rivalries, anything can happen—and the Chargers are ready to seize the moment and keep their playoff dreams alive.