Reply To: ***Chiefs @ Chargers: Official Week 4 Game Day Thread***

2. Getting the Chargers to third-and-long

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

If it feels like the Chiefs’ pass rush has been quiet this season, it’s because it has had limited opportunities to pin their ears back and go after sacks. The defense has faced the seventh-fewest third-down pass plays this season. Four of the unit’s six sacks have come on third down.

That will start on first down and second down, when Los Angeles will be testing Kansas City’s run defense: the Chargers have the fourth-highest run rate (55.5%). Especially with potential injury absences, running back J.K. Dobbins will be heavily featured; he has the league’s third-most rushing yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

The Chiefs have had success slowing down the opponent’s primary ball carrier; they should feel comfortable committing to doing so in this game, too. If Kansas City can create more obvious passing downs, the team will have more chances to attack the Chargers’ wounded pass protection.