Chargers vs. Chiefs 2021: game time, TV schedule and how to watch live online

The Game

For Week 3, the Kansas City Chiefs are back in Arrowhead Stadium for an AFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kickoff is set for Noon Arrowhead Time. The game will be broadcast by CBS — locally on KCTV/5.

The Chiefs entered the 2021 season on the heels of five straight AFC West crowns and two consecutive Super Bowl appearances. In 2019, the team won its first NFL championship in 50 years. The following season, they lost the championship game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9 — the worst defeat the team had suffered since Patrick Mahomes became the team’s starting quarterback in 2018.

In contrast, the Chargers — like the Chiefs, an original American Football League franchise — have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, finishing 2020 with a 7-9 record under head coach Anthony Lynn. In the offseason, the franchise replaced Lynn with 38-year-old Brandon Staley, who had served as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020.

With second-year quarterback Justin Herbert — who passed for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions after a completely unexpected debut against the Chiefs in Week 2 of his rookie season — Los Angeles is hoping to challenge Kansas City in the division they have both occupied since the AFL was formed in 1960.

Both teams come into Arrowhead 1-1 following unexpected losses in Week 2. After an uncharacteristic fumble by running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire as Kansas City was driving down the field with less than two minutes to go, the Chiefs were handed a 36-35 road loss against the Baltimore Ravens — while the Dallas Cowboys’ Greg Zuerlein kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired to pin a 20-17 loss on the Chargers.

Both teams should be well-motivated for the game. The division-rival Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders have both started their seasons 2-0 — and both are favored to win their respective games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins late on Sunday afternoon. In that scenario, neither the Chiefs or Chargers will want to be 1-2.

Nuts and bolts

• Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
• Playing surface: Natural grass
• Game time: Noon Arrowhead Time, Sunday, September 26, 2021
• Weather forecast: Sunny and 81 Winds SSW 16 mph
• Matchup history: 64-56-1 Chiefs (regular season)
• Odds: Chiefs -7
• Officials: Referee Shawn Hochuli (83), umpire Terry Killens (77), down judge Ed Camp (134), line judge Greg Bradley (98), field judge Tom Hill (97), side judge Chad Hill (125), back judge Rich Martinez (39), replay official Tyler Cerimeli and replay assistant Mark Bitar.
• Pageantry: Colors: American Legion Post 213. National Anthem: Melissa Etheridge. Drum Deck Honoree: Eric Stonestreet. Spirit Leader: Erick Nicholas.
• Television broadcast: with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson on KCTV (CBS/5-Kansas City), Chiefs Mobile App, KCBS (CBS/2-Los Angeles) and CBS affiliates nationwide — see coverage map
• Online Stream: Fubo.TV, Paramount+
• Chiefs radio broadcast: with Mitch Holthus, Danan Hughes and Josh Klingler on WDAF (106.5 FM-Kansas City) and Chiefs Radio Network affiliates
• SiriusXM broadcast: Channel 227
• Chiefs Spanish radio broadcast: with Enrique Morales, Oscar Monterroso and Hannah Bassham on KPRS (103.3 FM-Kansas City)
• Chargers radio broadcast: with Matt “Money” Smith, Daniel Jeremiah and Shannon Farren on KYSR (98.7 FM-Los Angeles), KLAC (570 AM-Los Angeles) and Chargers Radio Network affiliates.
• Enemy SB Nation site: Bolts from the Blue
• Twitter: Arrowhead Pride
• Facebook: Please like us!

What you need to know in the stadium

• Parking lots open: 7:30 a.m.
• Stadium gates open: 10 a.m.
• COVID-19: Per Kansas City, Missouri city ordinance, masks are required in public indoor spaces — regardless of vaccination status. Unless actively eating or drinking, stadium guests will be asked to wear masks on the CommunityAmerica Club Level, in the Ford Founder’s Club, Foolish Lounge, Broadcast Lounge, Signature Suite Lounge, Locker Room Club, Tickets for Less Penthouse, Draft Room and Chiefs Pro Shop.
• Masks are not required outdoors — but they are encouraged for guests who have not been fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated stadium staff — and all those working inside enclosed public areas — are directed to wear masks. A complete list of the stadium’s health and safety protocols is available at www.Chiefs.com.
• Parking passes: All parking passes must be purchased in advance at www.Chiefs.com; payments will not be accepted at the parking toll gates.
• Cashless Arrowhead: All concession stands and retail points of sale are completely cashless. Fixed points of sale offer traditional scan and chip reader options for credit/debit cards and mobile tap or scan payment options — including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. In-stadium hawkers and vendors accept credit cards only.
• Clear bags, permitted items: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in place for all Arrowhead Stadium events. Fans may visit www.Chiefs.com for important information on the clear bag policy and a complete list of permitted and prohibited items.