The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a critical AFC West rivalry rematch on Sunday, December 14, 2025, with the Chargers eyeing a division-clinching win to solidify their No. 2 seed status, while the Chiefs fight for survival amid a disappointing slide. This Week 15 tilt revives October’s thriller (KC 24-20 win at Arrowhead), pitting Justin Herbert’s efficient arm (3,456 pass yds, 24 TD) against Patrick Mahomes’ resurgent form (2,980 yds, 19 TD post-injury). LAC’s top-ranked D (18.2 PPG allowed, 2nd) faces KC’s explosive but inconsistent offense (24.1 PPG, 14th), but the Chargers’ ground game (128.7 ypg, 11th) could exploit KC’s 25th-ranked run D (142.3 ypg allowed). With LAC holding the tiebreaker, a win locks the West; Chiefs need chaos elsewhere. Win sims: Chargers 68%.
Kickoff: 4:25 PM ET (1:25 PM PT).
Broadcast: CBS: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins (field reporter)
Streaming on NFL+ ($6.99/mo) and Paramount+. Pregame on NFL Network at 3:30 PM ET.
Venue Location:
SoFi Stadium, 1001 Stadium Drive, Inglewood, CA 90301 (33°48’13″N 118°19’58″W). This state-of-the-art 70,240-seat domed marvel—opened in 2020—features a translucent roof and massive Infinity Screen, creating an electric SoCal vibe. Accessible via I-405 (Manchester Blvd exit) or LAX (10-min drive). Parking at on-site lots ($50-75); hotels like the Hotel Maya Santa Monica (15-min drive) offer shuttle packages. Tickets via Ticketmaster from $112 (400-level).
Injury Report
Chargers’ list is manageable (focus on depth), bolstering their D; Chiefs’ absences hit the trenches and secondary hard, thinning Mahomes’ protection. Updates as of Thursday, December 11 (via NFL.com; Friday pending).
Los Angeles Chargers:
Out: CB Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder—IR, out since Week 12), RB J.K. Dobbins (knee—limited Thu, doubtful).
DNP: DT Poona Ford (foot), G Jamari Salcedo (knee).
Limited: WR Ladd McConkey (ankle—top target, 58 rec/812 yds; expected to play), S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring—full-go projected), EDGE Khalil Mack (rest—veteran load management).
Full: QB Justin Herbert (NIR-rest), LB Daiyan Henley (shoulder), S Alohi Gilman (concussion—cleared).
Impact: McConkey’s ankle limits WR2; D intact with Mack rested, but run game leans on Gus Edwards sans Dobbins.
Kansas City Chiefs:
Out: OT Wanya Morris (concussion), G Trey Smith (knee—IR return pending, out Week 14), CB Jaylen Watson (ankle).
DNP: LT Orlando Brown Jr. (groin—questionable, 3 sacks allowed last week).
Limited: RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder—limited, 678 yds/5 TD; monitor for starter), WR Rashee Rice (hamstring—cleared for contact).
Full: QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle—full, no limp), DE George Karlaftis (wrist).
Impact: OL woes (Brown questionable) expose Mahomes to LAC’s 4th-ranked pass rush (36 sacks); Pacheco’s shoulder caps KC’s 25th rush (112 ypg).
Both full practices Thursday; no QB risks.
Player Matchups
Rivalry intensity amps this aerial chess match, with edges deciding a close contest. Key headliners:
QB Justin Herbert (LAC) vs. Chiefs Pass Rush (George Karlaftis/Mike Danna): Herbert (66.5% comp., 24 TD/7 INT) shredded KC for 281 yds/2 TD in October—Karlaftis (7 sacks) tests LAC’s 12th OL (22 sacks allowed).
RB Gus Edwards (LAC) vs. Chiefs Front 7 (Nick Bolton/Trent McDuffie hybrid): Edwards (712 yds, 6 TD) exploits KC’s 25th run D; Chiefs’ LBs gap-sound but vulnerable to misdirection.
WR Quentin Johnston/DJ Chark (LAC) vs. CB Trent McDuffie/L’Jarius Sneed trade echo): Johnston (52 rec, 712 yds) vs. McDuffie’s elite coverage (9 PD); Chark’s speed tests Sneed-less depth.
QB Patrick Mahomes (KC) vs. Chargers Secondary (Derwin James Jr./Mekhi Blackmon): Mahomes (60.2% comp. post-injury, 19 TD) vs. LAC’s 2nd-ranked pass D (192 ypg allowed). James’ hamstring limits blitzes.
RB Isiah Pacheco (KC) vs. Chargers Front (Khalil Mack/Joey Bosa): Pacheco (4.3 YPC) grinds vs. LAC’s 8th run D (98.7 ypg allowed); Mack’s rest amps edge pressure.
Chargers Defense Edge: 2nd in scoring, forcing TOs vs. KC’s -2 differential.
Team Records
| Team | Record | Division | Playoff Odds | Key Stats |
| Chargers | 9-4 (.692) | 1st AFC West | 98% | 24.8 PPG (10th), 18.2 OPP PPG (2nd), 362.1 TOT YPG (6th) |
| Chiefs | 6-7 (.462) | 2nd AFC West | 12% | 24.1 PPG (14th), 22.3 OPP PPG (13th), 348.7 TOT YPG (12th) |
Chargers: West lead, tiebreaker over KC. Chiefs: Slipping, need win + help
Recent Form
Los Angeles Chargers (4-1 in last 5): Balanced surge with D dominance (14.6 OPP PPG last 5); Herbert’s efficiency keys wins.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec 7 | @ NE | W 34-20 | Herbert 312 yds/3 TD; D 2 INT, 3 sacks. |
| Nov 30 | vs KC | L 20-24 | Close loss; 45% 3rd-down conv. |
| Nov 23 | @ BAL | W 27-21 | Edwards 110 rush yds; 52.4% 3rd-down. |
| Nov 16 | vs CIN | W 31-24 | Herbert 289 yds/2 TD; shootout win. |
| Nov 9 | @ CHI | W 24-17 | D holds Fields to 198 yds; balanced. |
Kansas City Chiefs (2-3 in last 5): Inconsistent post-Mahomes tweak; OL issues plague (28 sacks season).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec 7 | vs LAC | W 24-20 | Mahomes 281 yds/2 TD; Pacheco 85 yds. |
| Nov 30 | @ LV | L 17-31 | 3 TO; 30.8% 3rd-down conv. |
| Nov 23 | vs BUF | W 28-24 | Mahomes 245 yds/3 TD; comeback. |
| Nov 16 | @ DEN | L 20-27 | Pacheco 2 TD; D allows 350 yds. |
| Nov 9 | vs TB | L 23-30 | 40% 3rd-down; Rice 100+ yds. |
Series History
Chargers trail 28-67 all-time (95 meetings, including AFL era), but recent parity (KC 5-5 last 10). October’s 24-20 KC win snapped LAC’s 2-game streak. Avg. score: KC 26.4-20.1 LAC. High-scoring trend: O 8/10 last decade. December: KC 18-7 SU. ATS: LAC 6-4 last 10; O/U: O 7-3.
Betting Trends
Over 65% action at 48.5 (O 8/10 series, LAC 7-3 O home). Chiefs +3.5 draws sharps (38% high-limits) as dogs (5-3 ATS); LAC 6-4 ATS last 10 vs. KC. Chiefs 1-4 ATS last 5 road; X chatter: 70% pro-Chargers post-NE win. Stable; monitor McConkey for total bump.
Predicted Score: Los Angeles Chargers 27, Kansas City Chiefs 27-23
CHARGERS NOTES:
• QB JUSTIN HERBERT passed for 139 yards & TD & rushed for 66 yards in Week 14. Needs 19 pass yards to become 3rd QB ever with 3,000+ pass yards & 20+ TD passes in each of 1st 6 seasons. Has 240+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 3 of his 5 road starts this season. Completed 25 of 34 atts. (73.5 pct.) for 318 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 131.7 rating & had 32 rush yards in Week 1 meeting. • RB KIMANI VIDAL led team with 104 scrimmage yards (60 rec., 44 rush) last week. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. • RB OMARION HAMPTON (rookie) had 67 scrimmage yards (56 rush, 11 rec.) & 1st-career TD catch in Week 14, 1st game since Week 5. Has TD in 3 of his past 4. Had 61 scrimmage yards (48 rush, 13 rec.) in Week 1 meeting. • WR KEENAN ALLEN had 7 catches for 68 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • WR LADD MCCONKEY has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. KC with 5+ receptions & 65+ rec. yards. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY led team with 7 tackles & had PD last week. Has 5+ tackles in each of his 5 road games this season. Had 8 tackles & sack in Week 1 meeting. • LB KHALIL MACK had 5 tackles & TFL in Week 14. Had half sack & PD in last meeting at KC. • LB ODAFE OWEH had 5th sack of season last week. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 5 tackles in last game vs. KC (9/28/25 w/ Bal.). • DE DA’SHAWN HAND had 1st-career INT in Week 14. Had sack in Week 1 meeting. • S TONY JEFFERSON had 5 tackles & INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with INT. • CB CAM HART had 1st-career INT in Week 14. • CB DONTE JACKSON had 3 PD & INT last week. Has INT in 3 of his past 4. • CB TARHEEB STILL had 5 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 14.
CHIEFS NOTES:
• QB PATRICK MAHOMES passed for 160 yards & rushed for 59 yards in Week 14. Ranks 3rd in NFL in pass yards (3,398) & 3rd in AFC in TD passes (22). Needs 3 TD passes to become 6th QB all-time with 25+ TD passes in 8 consecutive seasons. Is 1 of 3 QBs (Drake Maye & Dak Prescott) with 250+ pass yards in 10 games this season. Passed for 3,528 yards (271.4 per game) & has 29 TDs (28 pass, 1 rush) with 100.1 rating in 13 career starts vs. LAC. Completed 24 of 39 atts. (61.5 pct.) for 258 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) in Week 1 meeting. • RB KAREEM HUNT rushed for 30 yards & TD last week. Has TD in 5 of his past 6. • RB ISIAH PACHECO rushed for 30 yards in Week 14. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 at home. Had 61 scrimmage yards (55 rush, 6 rec.) in last meeting at home. • WR XAIVER WORTHY had 55 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 55+ rec. yards. • WR HOLLYWOOD BROWN had 35 rec. yards in Week 14. Had 10 catches for 99 yards in Week 1 meeting. • TE TRAVIS KELCE needs 73 rec. yards to join HOFer Jerry Rice as only players with 800+ rec. yards in 12 consecutive seasons. Had TD catch in Week 1 meeting. • DE CHRIS JONES had sack & PD last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS had 5 tackles & sack in Week 14. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. Had 2 TFL & sack in Week 1 meeting. • LB NICK BOLTON led team 12 tackles & had 2 TFL last week. Aims for his 7th in row with 6+ tackles. Had 8 tackles in Week 1 meeting. • LB DRUE TRANQUILL had 10 tackles & TFL in Week 14. Spent 1st 4 seasons (2020-22) with LAC, totaling 279 tackles, 19 TFL, 6.5 sacks, FF, FR & INT. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Had 5 tackles & 2 sacks in Week 1 meeting. • S MIKE EDWARDS had 7 tackles & TFL last week. Had FR-TD in last game vs. LAC (1/7/24).
Game Odds
Los Angeles Chargers 41.5
Kansas City Chiefs – 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 13, 2025
