Chiefs. Chargers. Predictions. Everyone at SB Nation, including me, is taking the Chiefs over the Chargers. Check out all my Week 1 picks here.
And now for the Arrowhead Pride staff on Chargers vs. Chiefs...
Chargers 20 Chiefs 27
Rivers and the Chargers put up a ton of offense but the timely Chiefs defense allows only 20 points. Alex Smith’s MVP campaign begins. -Joel Thorman
Chargers 10 Chiefs 24
The holes will show themselves but the Chargers are in no position to exploit anyone’s weaknesses. I still see ghosts of that crazy season-opening loss to the Titans from 2 years ago, but I think Reid and company are more than ready for this. A win for the Chargers is no ImBosable, but I don’t think it will happen. -Matt Conner
Chargers 21 Chiefs 31
The revamped Chiefs offense gets off to a fast start, and the defense does enough to hold off any Rivers comeback drives. The young DBs will give up plenty of yards, but force a couple turnovers to attone. Spencer Ware has a monster game for my fantasy football teams...oh. yeah, and for the Chiefs too. Toub's guys might just get a ST TD also. The Chiefs are the superior team this week, even with injuries to the best player on each side of the ball. -Stagdsp
Chargers 21 Chiefs 34
On one hand, the offense gets us all really excited for its potential. On the other hand, the defense fails to completely allay our concerns as to whether a big step backward is imminent. Phillip Rivers will always scare me, and he's got some talent to throw to this year. But I think Chris Jones helps boost a pass rush that we're all worried about, and a secondary with something to prove does better than we expect. I think Rivers will get his yards, but this time next week we're all struggling to cap our optimism. -MNchiefsfan
Chargers 22 Chiefs 30
Andy Reid has been great in Kansas City against teams who are not 'top competition.' This trend continues as the Chiefs move the ball at will against the Chargers defense. The Chargers are in it until the end with Rivers pesky play combined with the Chargers wide receivers give the Chiefs secondary fits all day. The Chiefs passing game also looks sharp as the OL gives ample time for Alex Smith to hit receivers. The Chiefs defense forces a key turnover and Dee Ford gets a huge sack near the end of the game setting up the final drive for the Chiefs that seals the deal. -Super_G
Chargers 31 Chiefs 34
The Chiefs finally have the offense Andy Reid envisioned they'd have when he took over three seasons ago. KC's youth in the secondary and lack of pass rush will give Philip Rivers ample opportunity to win the game in the fourth quarter, but it won't be enough for a Chargers team that's still not very good. -Clay Wendler
Chargers 21 Chiefs 41
I'm optimistic for this offense and I believe the defense will be enough (though Rivers does get a TD against us this year). Go Chiefs. -NJChiefsfan