4 matchups to watch in Chargers' Week 1 game vs. Chiefs

After months of waiting, we are just days away from the Chargers‘ season opener against the Chiefs in Brazil. It’s quite a difficult task to begin the season, but there is a bad taste in the mouths of the Bolts after they were swept by their division rival in 2024.

Let’s examine three matchups to watch for in Friday’s contest:

Chargers’ interior offensive line vs. Chris Jones

The interior part of the Chargers’ offensive line, specifically the center position, has been considered the group’s spot of weakness for awhile now. Bradley Bozeman was brought back on a one-year deal this offseason, and he will remain the starter at center in 2025.

Zion Johnson will remain the starter at left guard, while offseason signing Mekhi Becton will take over the right guard spot. The performance of these three against Jones will play a large role in the outcome of this season opener.

In the first contest between the two sides in 2024, Jones wreaked havoc with four tackles and two sacks. The Chargers can’t afford to allow the six-time Pro Bowler to have that same kind of impact on Friday.

Chargers linebackers vs. Chiefs running backs

How do you slow down No. 15 for the Chiefs? Well, it starts with not allowing Kansas City’s running game to get going, which only opens the passing game up for Patrick Mahomes. In this matchup, running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt’s efficiency will be a deciding factor.

On the Chargers’ side of things, that puts pressure on linebackers Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman to step up in a big way. With Junior Colson on injured reserve, Henley and Perryman will occupy a vast majority of the snaps in the middle of the defense.

Chargers defense vs. Travis Kelce

It was a down year for Kelce in 2024, but he still combined for 12 catches and 134 receiving yards in two contests against the Chargers. As is typically the case in these matchups, Los Angeles must limit Kelce’s impact on this contest if they want to have a chance at the upset.

While there are plenty of other options in the Chiefs offense, Kelce is always the No. 1 priority. We’ll see what kind of game plan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter comes up with to slow down the veteran tight end.

Chargers WR Ladd McConkey vs. Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie

McConkey was the Chargers’ top target in 2024, finishing his rookie season with 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. He proved effective against the Chiefs last season, catching five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in their Week 4 matchup. McConkey will draw McDuffie, arguably one of the league’s better defensive backs. He is coming off his second consecutive All-Pro season.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: What matchups should Chargers fans watch for in Week 1?

Source: Sports Yahoo