One Player Who Could Turn Out to be an X-Factor For Chargers Against Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers have a very difficult task this week as they aim to improve their 0-5 record by picking up their first win of the season, but they have to go on the road to play the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs. For the Chargers, this is a very tough situation, but based on a very slow start, this Week 5 game has become basically a must-win, and it will no doubt take a full 60-minute effort.

On that note, there is one player who could be an x-factor in this game and help the Chargers pick up their first win this week. That player is defensive tackle Teair Tart.

Now, a lot of the focus may be on quarterback Justin Herbert as well as the inconsistent play on the offensive side of the ball, but for the Chargers to truly have a chance in this game, Tart and the defense have to play very well, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will be a very tough out.

In terms of how Tart can be an x-factor, it is purely his ability to dominate on the inside and put the Chargers in a position to stop the run game for Kansas City. 

The reason for Tart having the ability to stop the run is his 6-2 and 315-pound frame that enables him to take on double teams, which then can force the runs to get bounced outside.

When it comes to Tart trying to stop the run and take on those double teams, he will be going against a solid trio on the interior of the Chiefs' offensive line in the form of right guard Trey Smith, center Creed Humphrey, and left guard Kingsley Sumataia who are all solid players and have been very reliable for Kansas City to start the year.

Ultimately, a lot of this matchup on the inside will determine how effectively the Chiefs can run the ball, and if the Chargers can force the ball outside as a result of stuffing runs up the middle, that could really benefit Los Angeles, which is because the Chargers have edge rushers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, who both have the ability to set the edge in the run game and get after the quarterback.

With that said, Tart and the rest of the Chargers' defensive tackles need to figure out a way to dominate on the inside so they can funnel runs to Mack and Tuipulotu as well as put the Chiefs in obvious passing situations which could make Kansas City one dimensional and possibly give the Chargers a real chance to be competitive in this game as long as the offense can find mild success moving the ball.

So, if Tart can be a strong facilitator in stopping the run for the Chargers on the inside and force the Chiefs to run the ball on the edge, that could help Los Angeles to play to their strengths more and potentially force a few turnovers that could turn the tide of this game and finally put Los Angeles in the win column.