Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, will see some NFL action tonight as the Kansas City Chiefs and LA Chargers are south of the border, the first time the two teams have played each other in the country.  The AFC West rivals are expected to put on a good show, as both are still in the running for a playoff spot of one sort or another, depending on how the next several weeks play out.

Chiefs & Chargers Playing Off Losses

The Chiefs lost their last game against the Tennessee Titans, 35-32, and the Chargers lost to the LA Raiders in their last contest, 26-24.  Both games were tight all the way through and this will be repeated tonight.  Especially since the Chargers are two games down in the division and need this win to keep their playoff dreams afloat.

The Chiefs are 6-4 on the season and, even though they’re not division leaders, they have one of the strongest offenses this season.  They lead in average passing yards per game at 313.9 and are third in total offense with 404.7.  The Chiefs team has also routinely dominated the Chargers, winning nine of their last ten matchups.

This is going to be the first NFL game in Mexico since 2017.  A game was going to be held in the country last year, but the field was determined to be way too out of shape and the game, which was to be between the Chiefs and the LA Rams, was forced to be played in California.  With a newly updated stadium and drainage system at Estadio Azteca, the NFL is anxious to see how things go.

The coaches for both teams are apparently excited about the opportunity.  The Chargers’ Anthony Lynn said that he has “no concerns whatsoever” and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stated, “Everything that I’ve been told has been positive.  I think that’s all taken care of from what I understand.”  The comments were in reference to the poor conditions found in previous years.

A Little Less Oxygen

Both teams are going to have to face another challenge, as well.  The stadium sits at 7,350 feet above sea level, higher than Mile-High Stadium in Denver, which sits at 5,280.  The Chargers could have an upper hand in this regard since the team spent all week practicing in Colorado Springs, CO – the Chiefs decided to stick with their favorite turf.

That might be the extent of the benefits for the Chargers, though.  Patrick Mahomes is back at quarterback for the Chiefs and he’s fired up.  As long as the defense stays organized, everything will go smoothly.

This is essentially considered a road game for the Chiefs and, based on their record this season, they’re great on the road.  In spite of that, though, either team is more than capable of winning tonight.  They both have a lot at stake, and neither is going to go down without a fight.  No one should expect to see anything less than a determined struggle by both team’s offenses and defenses from start to finish.  When it’s all wrapped up, though, the Chiefs will have been able to hold on long enough to secure the win against this Chargers team.