Chargers vs Chiefs Week 3 Picks and Preview: Mahomes, Herbert Square Off in AFC West Showdown

(Photo : Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Patrick Mahomes (#15) of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at the M&T Bank Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Two AFC West teams will be squaring off this coming Sunday in Week 3 as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the reigning AFC champions Kansas City Chiefs in a pivotal showdown at Arrowhead Stadium. Who will prevail in this divisional clash? Read our preview of the Chargers vs Chiefs game to find out which team has the edge.

Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 3 as +6.5 underdogs

The Los Angeles Chargers suffered their first defeat this season on Sunday, losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Dallas Cowboys. Greg Zuerlein kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired to prevent the Chargers from starting the season 2-0.

The Chargers will look to get their season back on track when they face division rivals Kansas City this coming Sunday. One guy who needs to step up for Los Angeles in that matchup is quarterback Justin Herbert. Even though he recorded 338 passing yards in Week 2, Herbert also threw a couple of interceptions that swung the momentum in Dallas' favor.

This throw from Justin Herbert… #BoltUp

📺: #DALvsLAC on CBS
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— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2021

Herbert must eliminate those mistakes in Week 3 for the Chargers to upset the Chiefs. One positive development that emerged in the loss to the Cowboys was Herbert's burgeoning partnership with Mike Williams. The Chargers wide receiver caught seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown against Dallas one week after he posted a career-high eight catches with a score in LA's season opener.

Herbert and Williams will have their work cut out against a Chiefs defense that has already recorded three interceptions this season. Kansas City also has allowed just one passing touchdown through its first two games.

Kansas City Chiefs installed as -6.5 favorites

Patrick Mahomes' record in September isn't perfect anymore after the Kansas City Chiefs absorbed a gut-wrenching 36-35 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. The Chiefs squandered an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, with Baltimore outscoring Kansas City 12-0 during that period.

It was a disappointing loss for Mahomes, who had led Kansas City to an immaculate 11-0 record in September the past four seasons. Mahomes did not throw a single interception in those 11 wins, recording 3,637 passing yards and 35 touchdowns during that stretch.

That changed in the game against the Ravens, with Mahomes throwing a poor interception at the end of the third quarter that swung the momentum in Baltimore's favor. Mahomes forced the issue on a 3rd-and-12 situation, launching a pass even with a defender all over his back. Mahomes' pass attempt went awry as a result, with the ball landing into the waiting arms of a Ravens' defender.

Mahomes’ first career September interception…

And it wasn’t pretty 🥴
pic.twitter.com/mcjRSobLro
— PFF (@PFF) September 20, 2021

Mahomes and co. will look to return to winning ways in Week 3 when they host the Chargers. The Chiefs will be put to the test by a Chargers defense that is fourth in the NFL in passing defense this season, allowing just 177 yards per game this season.

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. was superb in the game against the Cowboys, recording his first NFL interception and breaking up a pair of pass attempts. Samuel Jr. and the rest of LA's secondary did a fantastic job against Dallas' vaunted wide receiver group, holding CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper to just 105 receiving yards and no touchdowns.

They will need to be at their best against the Chiefs, who are ranked third in the league in passing offense, averaging 340 yards per game through the air this campaign.