# Chargers vs Chiefs predictions, graded

Week 6, 2026: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Oct 18, 2026 · final: Chargers 6, Chiefs 22 · 30 calls on record · updated Oct 19, 9:19 AM ET

Who do pundits pick in Chargers vs Chiefs? Of 24 pundits with a call on record, all 24 take the Chiefs. 4 named a score; the median has the Chiefs by 7. The Chiefs won 22-6, so 24 of 24 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 93 out of 100.

Picks by outlet. Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.

- [Sports Illustrated](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated): all 10 Chiefs
- [CBS Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports): all 3 Chiefs
- [Fox Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fox-sports): all 3 Chiefs
- [First Things First (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/first-things-first-podcast): all 2 Chiefs
- [The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/the-richard-sherman-podcast-podcast): all 2 Chiefs

The other 4 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 4 Chiefs.

Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-6-chargers-at-chiefs

Picks:

- [Jordan Foote](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jordan-foote) took the Chiefs; said Oct 18, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d82b7ec8-45ab-4a5b-ad64-4658b0f7f3cd
- [Tyler Brown](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-brown) took the Chiefs; said Oct 18, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/11cc9e18-6dd1-41ca-9dbd-da034d02aced
- [Jordan Foote](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jordan-foote) took the Chiefs; said Oct 17, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bf4b363c-2884-41e7-b35c-09ad1ef0a072
- [Nick Wright](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/nick-wright) took the Chiefs; said Oct 16, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/55e0e87f-daae-45cf-94c1-ee636dcfa902
- [Chris Broussard](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-broussard) took the Chiefs; said Oct 16, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/0eb4d0a3-1c94-421c-a9c4-aec2ccb5f960
- [Chris Simms](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-simms) took the Chiefs, Chiefs 23–Chargers 20; said Oct 16, 2026; on Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast); scored 69.05 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 62.27) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4f810492-4a16-44b4-a36e-dcfc43ac96b4
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Chiefs, Chiefs 28–Chargers 21; said Oct 16, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 78.57 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 62.27) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/98e65ad3-7167-423c-bc20-a0de9a4e4611
- [Matt Harmon](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/matt-harmon) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Football 301 with Nate Tice (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e2341c1a-18e6-40d7-892e-6f93ae0e4fa3
- [Bradley Locker](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/bradley-locker) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Pro Football Focus; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1dd574a6-38de-4c53-a54e-6929421f67ea
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7d76979e-8b38-4a07-bfe8-1d5944db6fa3
- [Gilberto Manzano](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gilberto-manzano) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ed27b875-fdd0-46f5-acbf-4775e7447ecb
- [Mike Kadlick](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-kadlick) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa95a096-b860-4ecb-961a-fb6a63a76bd0
- [Albert Breer](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/albert-breer) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/52507147-c6d5-40e4-b363-cf4b613d9c96
- [Eva Geitheim](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eva-geitheim) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b980761c-efc2-43f2-9442-104588188d6c
- [Mitch Goldich](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitch-goldich) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7918f8b7-1467-4a59-ae36-48e9b81f72a2
- [John Pluym](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-pluym) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/274ca944-1d32-49d8-8647-5ce3e0c8ea09
- [Matt Verderame](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/matt-verderame) took the Chiefs; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b82668d7-7cde-4737-995a-33971b92f440
- [Mitchell Eisenstein](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitchell-eisenstein) took the Chiefs; said Oct 14, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ff01c53e-6d61-46b5-944c-d4230e0edac4
- [Richard Sherman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/richard-sherman) took the Chiefs; said Oct 14, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cba1ab87-c59a-4697-9170-a6425317535b
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Chiefs, Chiefs 33–Chargers 17; said Oct 14, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 62.27) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fd5d9e28-2a59-4c8e-b26c-7404e58b13a4
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Chiefs, Chiefs 28–Chargers 21; said Oct 14, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 78.57 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 62.27) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/55078747-a46c-46d7-829a-5ca19a3233f1
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Chiefs, Chiefs 24–Chargers 17; said Oct 13, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 78.57 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 62.27) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dd50ac69-1942-4821-9142-3e570ca82c47
- [Ralph Vacchiano](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/ralph-vacchiano) took the Chiefs; said Oct 8, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2aa2adac-cde3-456b-a0be-e3e030c633a3
- [Chris Clark](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-clark) took the Chiefs; said Oct 8, 2026; on Locked On Chiefs (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/daa77cd7-3837-4730-aa87-aa61d006be32
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Chiefs; said Oct 5, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ebb5d4ad-8432-4585-a227-dd908f2def6b
- [Greg Auman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/greg-auman) took the Chiefs; said Oct 2, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e05ef528-8257-4d4e-ab8f-1e7ab16f6a5a
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Chiefs; said Sep 28, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b9868de6-ac6f-4b28-a68c-6541371eb633
- [Henry McKenna](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/henry-mckenna) took the Chiefs; said Sep 22, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/19588e73-4a8e-4894-a58c-2d16c19c5b9f
- [Nick Wright](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/nick-wright) took the Chargers; said Sep 2, 2026; on What's Wright? with Nick Wright (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d726dad7-b84e-421c-8274-380142c4ff2e
- [Nick Wright](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/nick-wright) took the Chiefs; said Sep 2, 2026; on What's Wright? with Nick Wright (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d726dad7-b84e-421c-8274-380142c4ff2e

## How they came in

The Chargers are 0-5 and have lost 5 straight; the Chiefs are 4-0 and have won 4 straight. It is a division game. On win totals, 13 pundits put the Chargers at 8.1 wins on average, and 8 pundits put the Chiefs at 10.4 wins on average.

Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

- Los Angeles Chargers: 0-5, lost 5 straight (84 scored, 129 allowed)
  - Last games: L 17-23 vs Broncos; L 23-30 at Seahawks; L 16-24 at Bills
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 32nd, defense 26th of 32
  - Last season: 11-6
  - Win-total calls: 13 pundits, average 8.1, 2 to 12 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 3 of 5 Chargers games
- Kansas City Chiefs: 4-0, won 4 straight (118 scored, 77 allowed)
  - Last games: W 30-27 at Raiders; W 24-10 at Dolphins; W 33-30 vs Colts
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 4th, defense 8th of 32
  - Last season: 6-11
  - Win-total calls: 8 pundits, average 10.4, 9 to 13 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 3 of 4 Chiefs games

## Players to watch

Each club's starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit ranked on the leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick, made since the 2026 schedule came out ("No." is that rank). Leaderboard: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/leaderboard

- [Justin Herbert](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-herbert) (Starting QB, QB): 1,591 passing yards · 6 TD, 11 INT · 61.3% completions · 190 rushing yards · 8 games; 21st in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 3, 2026: Justin Herbert to stay with Los Angeles Chargers (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 30, 2026: Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round) (not settled yet)
- [Omarion Hampton](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/omarion-hampton) (RB1, RB): 369 rushing yards on 102 carries · 3 TD · 11 catches for 63 · 8 games; 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 17, 2026: Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Aug 15, 2026: Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Ladd McConkey](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ladd-mcconkey) (WR1, WR): 17 catches for 286 yards · 1 TD · 6 games; 76th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 6, 2026: Ladd McConkey to move to Pittsburgh Steelers (not settled yet)
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Sep 18, 2026: McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2) (not settled yet)
- [Oronde Gadsden II](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/oronde-gadsden-ii) (TE1, TE): 19 catches for 172 yards · 1 TD · 8 games; 135th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20) (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 7, 2026: Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Tuli Tuipulotu](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tuli-tuipulotu) (Sack leader, LB): 3 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 51st in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Oct 29, 2026: Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip” (not settled yet)
  - No. 40 JP Acosta, Nov 6, 2026: Tuli Tuipulotu to sign a new deal with Los Angeles Chargers (not settled yet)
- [Daiyan Henley](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/daiyan-henley) (Tackle leader, LB): 0.5 sacks · 21 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 140th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Nov 11, 2026: Daiyan Henley to be 3rd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Patrick Mahomes](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/patrick-mahomes) (Starting QB, QB): 2,037 passing yards · 14 TD, 4 INT · 67.3% completions · 8 games; 11th in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 3, 2026: Patrick Mahomes to stay with Kansas City Chiefs (not settled yet)
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Sep 4, 2026: Patrick Mahomes to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Kenneth Walker III](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kenneth-walker-iii) (RB1, RB): 872 rushing yards on 159 carries · 11 TD · 26 catches for 172 · 8 games; 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Oct 7, 2026: Kenneth Walker III to win MVP (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Sep 26, 2026: Kenneth Walker III to finish top 4 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Josh Downs](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/josh-downs) (WR1, WR): 33 catches for 354 yards · 1 TD · 9 games; 51st in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 6, 2026: Josh Downs to move to Pittsburgh Steelers (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Oct 29, 2026: Josh Downs to move to Los Angeles Rams (not settled yet)
- [Travis Kelce](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/travis-kelce) (TE1, TE): 33 catches for 482 yards · 2 TD · 8 games; 26th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Sep 26, 2026: Travis Kelce to finish top 8 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
  - No. 10 Shanna McCarriston, Oct 4, 2026: Travis Kelce to record 78 receptions (not settled yet)
- [George Karlaftis](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/george-karlaftis) (Sack leader, DE): 4 sacks · 14 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 30th in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Sep 3, 2026: George Karlaftis to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Nick Bolton](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/nick-bolton) (Tackle leader, LB): 38 solo tackles · 8 games; 11th in the NFL in solo tackles

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The room is counted in pundits, each one's latest call standing. Accuracy is out of 100; the naive pick is the home team.
The week: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-6
Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology