Frustration may have hit critical mass within the Chiefs organization, again they had a favored playoff contender on the ropes and again let victory slip thru their grasp as they fell to the San Diego Chargers 20-19. Tyler Thigpen and the Chiefs started out hot as they took their opening possession 95 yards down the field on a seven play drive culminating in a 30 yard Thigpen to Bradley touchdown pass.

San Diego would pull close with a couple of Nate Kaeding field goals to put the score at 7-6 Chiefs. Thigpen then led the Chiefs on a seven play 83 yards drive that was capped off with a 34 yard Tony Gonzalez touchdown. The point after attempt would be muffed and the Chiefs would have to settle for six.

Trying to answer back down seven Phillip Rivers would direct a drive that go for not as he was intercepted by Bernard Pollard with a 1:30 left in the half. Receiving the ball at the 20 yard line Thigpen and the Chiefs would advance as far as the Chargers 46 but would run out of time sending the game to half 13-6 Chiefs.


The lightning bolts and Chiefs would spend a majority of the third quarter trading punts until Malcom Floyd got the Bolts back on the board with a five yard touchdown reception pulling the even at 13 all. The Chiefs would answer back with a three and out setting the Chargers up on their own 36. On 1st and 10 Phillip Rivers would hit Vincent Jackson on a 18 yard gain, the next play Rivers throws his second interception of the game this time being victimized by John McGraw.

The interception would prove harmless as the Chiefs would go three and out and punt taking it into the fourth quarter. Rivers and the Bolts would open the quarter going on a 14 play 94yard drive that took 8:30 of the clock and put them up on the Chiefs 20-13. The two teams would again trade punts giving Thigpen and the Chiefs a final drive with 3:00 on the clock. On his own 40 Thigpen went to work quickly moving the Chiefs down the field overcoming a fourth down and three third downs. Finally connecting with Gonzalez on a three yard touchdown on third and goal. Down 20-19 coach Herm Edwards elected to go for two instead of kicking the extra point and sending it into overtime. Despite the fact his defense had played well and for the most part kept the Chargers juggernaut offense in check. The conversion failed as Thigpen tried to hit Gonzalez in the corner of the end zone and the pass got knocked down. The Chargers recovered the onside kick and moved a game closer in the AFC West . While the Chiefs move to 1-8 and continue to struggle to find a way to close a game.

Grading the keys to the Game

Gunther vs. the Big Three: Antonio Gates 8 receptions 66 yards. L.T. 22 carries 78 yards 0 TD, Phillip Rivers 2 interceptions. Gunther could not have asked for a better performance from his defense, the defense gave up some yards but did not let the Big Three kill them and they kept the score low. At one point in the game all three starting linebackers were out and 2 players in the secondary Even though the Chiefs could not take advantage the defense did get them two turnovers. There is still a lot of room to grow for this young defense, but they have steadily progressed the last three weeks and played nothing like the team that gave up 300 yards rushing to the Titans.

Grade: B+


Keep Charles in Charge: Jamal Charles figured to be a big part of the Chiefs plans this week but reaggravated a high ankle sprain injury early in the contest. Dontrell Savage did step in and run hard for 44 yards on 12 carries, but with Charles out the Chiefs relied more of a short passing game to compensate for the lack of running game to chew down the clock and it worked well for Thigpen who went 27 of 41 for 266 yards 3 TD?S and no interceptions. The Chiefs as a whole ran for only 78 yards on 17 carries.

Grade: C+


Don?t play not to lose the game: Herm Edwards stayed aggressive with his game plan the whole game, when the Chiefs were up 13-6 he stayed with the quick hitting passing game and he kept taking shots down field. Instead of sitting back in Cover 2 with a lead, Herm threw a lot of blitzes at Phillip Rivers that caused a lot of pressure that resulted in two interceptions. The most questionable call of the day without a doubt will be the decision to go for two instead of taking the point after and going to overtime. I understand the descion if your defense had played poorly but the Chiefs held the Chargers to several three and outs and the Chiefs could have easily won the coin flip or stopped the Chargers and got the ball back.

Grade: B-