Are you ready for the final game of the regular season, Chiefs Kingdom?

Just as we have over the past four seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Below you’ll find all of our picks for Kansas City’s Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 3:25 p.m. CT.

Charles Goldman’s pick:

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Both the Chiefs and the Chargers have already ruled out a number of starters for this game. It’ll basically amount to an exhibition game with the number of backup players set to take snaps. This will be an opportunity for a lot of young players to go out and get some meaningful snaps that they missed out on this year during the preseason.

I’m interested in how much pressure the Chiefs will be able to get on Justin Herbert with Sam Tevi questionable and Bryan Bulaga ruled out. Guys like Mike Danna and Tim Ward could have some serious opportunities there. There are also other players slated for snaps that haven’t seen much time this year like Darwin Thompson, Ricky Seals-Jones. BoPete Keyes, Khalen Saunders, Martinas Rankin and Yasir Durant. There’s a lot of young talent on this roster that will have an opportunity to show out in Week 17.

As I think about this game I don’t know what the Chargers have to play for this week — it might be a game for their head coach or personal pride. However, the backup players for the Chiefs have something significant that they can accomplish together this week. They can rally together and get the team to 15-1 for the first time in franchise history. That’s a goal that can be a strong motivator for this team, especially as they defend their home turf.

Chiefs win 27-21

Mitch Carney's pick:

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Chiefs are playing in a meaningless game this Sunday against the Chargers, it will still provide some value as we get a closer look at Kansas City’s backups. That being said, I have the Chiefs losing their second game to fall to 14-2.

Justin Herbert has looked like a legitimate franchise quarterback in his first season as Los Angeles’ quarterback. I expect him to give the Chiefs’ defense fits, especially if Kansas City opts to use mainly backups. I believe the Chiefs offense will have some bright spots, but it will be a clear drop off with Chad Henne getting the start. They’ll be able to move the ball, but they’ll stall out more often than we are used to when Patrick Mahomes is at the helm.

Chargers win 24-17

Ed Easton Jr.'s pick:

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

The Chiefs are playing a meaningless game to close out the regular season as they’ve clinched the No. 1 seed. The normal array of starters will get an extra week’s rest ahead of the bye week as head coach Andy Reid plans on giving his reserves plenty of time to shine against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kansas City will be led by veteran quarterback Chad Henne who will make some good plays in the game but obviously not to the same precision as Patrick Mahomes. The Chargers are expected to play their normal line up will have better success defensively as the scoring will be at a minimum for both sides. The outcome could really swing in Kansas City’s favor if the defense holds strong with players like Willie Gay Jr. and Mike Danna making plays against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Chiefs’ reserves will squeak out a win in dramatic fashion as Harrison Butker adds another game-winner to his highlight reel, building momentum into the postseason.

Chiefs win 13-10

Talon Graff's pick:

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

It is time to lean back and enjoy watching the second-stringers take center stage as the Chiefs will rest many of their key starters in Week 17. The Chargers gave Kansas City everything it could take the first time these two teams played. Justin Herbert has the Los Angeles organization trending in the right direction and they have won three games in a row. They’d love to make it four straight to start a wave of momentum into next season.

We will see how deep the Chiefs are with Chad Henne getting his first start at quarterback since 2014. Plenty of other reserve or role players will get opportunities to showcase what they can contribute. The Chiefs get a win to end the regular season 15-1.

Chiefs win 20-17