5 bold predictions for Chiefs against Chargers

2. Tyrann Matthieu gets two interceptions

While the Chiefs didn’t have the best week in Baltimore, star Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu nearly took the ball game — twice.

Mathieu’s two interceptions were key in bringing the Chiefs within reach of the win, with one of his two picks scoring another six for Kansas City.

Heading into his ninth NFL season, Mathieu came back with a boom in Week 2, logging six tackles and three passes defended in the narrow loss. Mathieu was missing in Week 1 due a COVID-19 list designation, but if Week 2 signifies anything, it’s that the Honey Badger is back and he’s ready to play football.

In 2020, Mathieu got 62 tackles and six interceptions on the season, so opening 2021 with four interceptions is ambitious, especially against grounded sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert. But Herbert isn’t perfect: In fact, Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed intercepted Herbert in the red zone last season when they beat the Chargers in their first seasonal game at SoFi.

Herbert was sure to give Mathieu his due before Week 3, nodding to the veteran’s play-making abilities that will prove challenging come Sunday.

“He makes plays all over the field,” Herbert was reported saying this week. “He’s a guy that you have to game plan and prepare for. He just finds ways to make plays, and flies around the field. He can man coverage, he can zone; he can do it all.”

With a safety that can do it all — and a safety that’s already done it once this season — it’s possible for Mathieu to pluck two passes from the Chargers this weekend.