Dominate the Super Bowl

During the offseason, when the schedule was released, the difficulty of the Kansas City Chiefs' schedule was among the top in the league, making it full of perils at every step.

The reality is indeed so, but it slightly differs from the expectations.

According to expectations, the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Chargers were the highly anticipated strong matchups, whereas the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans were slightly more breathable opponents.

However, now the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Tennessee Titans have become tough opponents, while the Los Angeles Chargers have turned into an easy target.

No one expected this, which also vividly demonstrates the charm of the NFL:

There are no absolute underdogs.

Before the regular season officially kicks off, all judgments, predictions, and speculations are just paper talk and cannot be taken seriously. Only when you truly step onto the field and engage in real competition can you see the real deal; moreover, the league's structure continues to remain dynamic, and anything is possible until the regular season concludes.

The gap between so-called strong teams and so-called weak teams is not that significant.

In fact, the Los Angeles Chargers are no exception.

A disappointing record of four wins and six losses was indeed not foreseen by the Los Angeles Chargers before the opening of the 2019 season, completely disrupting their plans.

But, is it really?

Numbers can't be taken at face value.

Look at the Los Angeles Chargers' six losses; all were within a one-touchdown range. Moreover, four of those losses were battles decided by three points or fewer.

Then look at the Los Angeles Chargers' four victories: an overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts, a twenty-point thrashing of the Miami Dolphins, a narrow one-point win over the Chicago Bears, and an upset blow that toppled the Green Bay Packers.

So, what does this prove?

The Los Angeles Chargers still possess strength and capability; it's just that during close and intense moments, they lost the finishing touch they maintained last season to clinch victories. But that doesn't mean it's entirely gone, just that their performance has been a bit unstable. So far, all ten games have been like this.

In other words, the Los Angeles Chargers still have playoff-caliber talent. If anyone thinks the Los Angeles Chargers are pushovers because of their "four wins and six losses" record, they are just setting themselves up for a slip-up, fueling the Chargers' playoff hopes.

Take the Green Bay Packers, for example.

The Green Bay Packers, who had been unstoppable in the first half of the season, never anticipated being sniped repeatedly when facing American League West teams, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Los Angeles Chargers, disrupting their smooth sailing momentum.

The Green Bay Packers are the best example:

Once the winning streak is snapped, the team might fall into chaos. They need to find their rhythm and form anew, and the momentum that follows may differ. This is why all coaches and professionals in the league ponder the same question —

Who can beat the Kansas City Chiefs?

Once there's a start, the 2019 season's landscape and trajectory might be entirely different.

Now, all eyes are on the Los Angeles Chargers.

Indeed, from various analyses, the Los Angeles Chargers are at a disadvantage. In 2019, Rivers isn't what he was in 2018; but it's not like the Chargers have no hope.

Don't forget, this is a divisional rivalry.

The Cleveland Browns are a typical example of being masters in inner battles yet struggling outside. Despite their appalling record, they always manage to cause trouble in divisional matchups. The Oakland Raiders are no exception, struggling in a downturn but unleashing 200% energy in divisional fights —

Last week, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers.

Of course, this also sets an example for the Los Angeles Chargers:

See, look at me; now it's your turn. You should embrace the same spirit and challenge the Kansas City Chiefs. Who knows, maybe victory will be yours?

The still-solid and powerful Los Angeles Chargers, after boosting their morale and igniting their fighting spirit, taking down the division leaders Kansas City Chiefs in a divisional match?

Who could refuse that!

Moreover, the Los Angeles Chargers have an advantage: home-field.

In the 2018 season, after the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a regrettable loss to the Los Angeles Chargers away, Li Wei said that famous line: I hate Los Angeles.

The entire league burst into laughter.

At the same time, everyone knew the Kansas City Chiefs had maintained an undefeated record at home for two seasons, and Arrowhead Stadium had become the league's scariest, top-notch hellish home field. The hope of defeating the Kansas City Chiefs lay in road games, and the upcoming game is one such road game.

What if playing away is still not enough?

The Los Angeles Chargers have an "additional advantage," an enhanced road game: overseas game —

In Week 11 of the regular season, the Los Angeles Chargers will host at "home," London Wembley Stadium, facing the two-time defending champions and divisional rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wait, why is it called an enhanced road game?

If overseas, wouldn't it put both the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs back on the same starting line?

The situation is not that simple.

Because this is the Kansas City Chiefs' first overseas game, and also the first overseas game for young players like Mahomes and Li Wei.

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams were supposed to play a game in Mexico, but it was canceled due to the torrential rain. The two teams still managed to complete a spectacular, historic midway Super Bowl-like game in Los Angeles.

In the end, two out of the three losses the Kansas City Chiefs suffered in the 2018 season took place in Los Angeles.

This season, after adjustments and arrangements by the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs have been scheduled for an overseas game once again.

According to the original plan, the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers was supposed to be in Mexico, but Goodell, after careful consideration, chose London.

The reason is very simple: Li Wei is not the same anymore, and the Kansas City Chiefs have leaped like a carp over the dragon's gate. If the league wants to seize the opportunity to open the overseas market and maximize the positive impact of the Kansas City Chiefs and Li Wei, they must go to the market that is currently the most mature and successful for the NFL:

London!

Therefore, this scene unfolded.

However, for young players like Mahomes and Li Wei, it's a severe challenge.

As mentioned earlier, the Monday Night Football game, due to its different preparation cycle, can cause players to fluctuate or even underperform, and sometimes result in unnecessary injuries.

According to official league statistics, the injury rate on Monday Night Football is indeed higher than other games, which is objectively true.

And overseas games take it one step further than Monday Night Football. If it's Mexico, that's one thing, as there's no time difference, and it's only a two-hour flight, which is basically no different from playing an away game in North America; but London is different.

Crossing the Atlantic with a flight time of more than ten hours, plus the reversal of time zones, all of which must be adjusted within one week, everything is a challenge.

Imagine the team going to Denver to play at a mile-high elevation; they need to arrive in Denver two to three days in advance to acclimate to the high-altitude environment, let alone London?

Perhaps some might say, it's just jet lag; who hasn't experienced it while traveling?

But the focus is, this is not a vacation.

This is competitive sports, where players need to maintain peak physical condition, and even the smallest details like meals, rest, sleep, and training schedules cannot be overlooked.

However, NFL players only have a short one to two days for adjustments.

The difficulty is imaginable.