Kansas City, Mo. ? The high-flying San Diego Chargers are tied for fifth in the NFL in scoring. They’re second in the league in time of possession, sixth in passing yards and near the top of the rankings in most other categories.

Third-down percentage. Giveaways. Sacks allowed. You name it.

They are the kind of gaudy numbers that, when printed in black and white, would make any defensive coordinator cringe. But they’re also the kind that makes a Kansas City Chiefs defense full of bravado look forward to stepping on the field and seeing what it can do.

“They’re just a really good team. They’re really hot right now. Philip Rivers is doing some really good things for their team,” Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines said, “so it’s going to be a nice little challenge going against them.”

Nice little challenge? Yeah, the Chiefs sure sound scared.

The reality is they have suddenly become one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, giving up just a shade over 20 points per game — fourth-best in the league. And they’ve done it while playing without players including Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson, fellow middle linebacker Joe Mays, defensive tackle Mike DeVito and Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry.

All four have been down with injuries, though Berry has practiced all week and could see the field for the first time today since spraining his ankle in Week 2.

“We’ll just see how he does,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.

The strange thing is that while Berry is considered one of the Chiefs’ better defensive players, there’s an argument to be made that they’ve been better with him on the bench.

After getting toasted by Tennessee in their season opener, the Chiefs largely shut down the high-powered Broncos in the game Berry got hurt, a 24-17 defeat. They grounded Miami the next week in a 34-15 victory, and made such a mockery of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in a 41-14 drubbing at Arrowhead Stadium that backup Jimmy Garoppolo finished the game.

Even in their final game before their bye, the Chiefs defense hung tough.