After defeating the Pittsburg Steelers at Arrowhead last week things get no easier for the Chiefs who are riding their first winning streak of the season as they travel to San Diego to face the Chargers for a 3:15 showdown. Earlier this season the Chiefs and Chargers met at Arrowhead in week 7 for what turned out to be a 37-7 rout by the Chargers. Since that time both teams have heated up the Chargers have won four in a row while the Chiefs have won two out three since that point, which includes a three point loss to the Jaguars. The Chargers winning streak which in total is five in a row has propelled them in to first place in the AFC West.

Last time these teams met the Chiefs had their worst offensive out put of the season in that game the Chiefs managed only ten first downs which was their worst production for that category all season. The team as a whole gained only 203 yards their third worst output of the season and Matt Cassel passed for only 82 yards and was picked off three times his worst showing of the season by far. But this will be a drastically different offense that San Diego faces this time around as the Chiefs slow pound it out running game centered around Larry Johnson has been replace by Jamaal Charles who can kill you with his speed on the edges or coming out of the backfield as a receiver. Also Chris Chambers has been on fire since being picked up of waivers by Kansas City from San Diego, he has amassed 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns since being picked up along with several plays of over twenty yards.

Needless to say this is a big game for both teams San Diego currently sits at 7-3 and one half of a game ahead of the Broncos a loss would bring the Chargers right back to the pack and tied with Broncos. The Chiefs meanwhile sit at 3-7 and after two consecutive victories one of which is against the defending Super Bowl champions the Chiefs are out to prove they have turned the corner and are on their way to respectability. Bottom line, both of these teams have improved since last time they met the Chargers are playing with something they have not for a majority of the season … a sense of urgency and the Chiefs are playing with something they have not had all season …..confidence. Despite the earlier season blowout I would expect this one to be close.

Keys to the Game

1. Don’t let L.T. get rollin: People who wrote L.T. off for the season may have been a little premature, in the past two weeks L.T. has went off for 169 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs are going to have a tough time keeping Phillip rivers and the passing game in check they can ill afford to let L.T. start running all over the field on them other wise this Chargers team could easily put up 40 points on the Chiefs.

2. Protect Matt Cassel: Last time these two teams met Cassel had a horrible game, 82 yards and three picks but he also had pass rushers in his face all day. Since that game the Chargers pass rush has only got better, Shawn Merriman has seemed to find his groove and Shaun Phillips has been his consistent self with six sacks on the season. Cassel has breathed new life in to this passing game over the past three weeks but it will be stomped out early if the Chiefs can’t give him time to throw the ball.

3. Get after Phillip Rivers: Just as important as it is for the Chiefs to protect matt Cassel it is just as important the Chiefs find a way to get after Phillip Rivers. The Chargers have towering receivers and if you give Phillip Rivers all day he will simply be playing pitch and catch out there. Last week the Chiefs got three sacks and Ben Roethlisberger wiggled out of at least three more, if the Chiefs defense can come up with a repeat performance it would go a long ways towards a victory.

Injury Report:

Chiefs:

Andy Alleman G Knee Out

Justin Rogers LB Thigh Out

Dantrell Savage RB Ankle Out

David Herron LB Knee Questionable

Mike Vrabel LB Knee Questionable

Kolby Smith RB Ankle Probable

Chargers:

Luis Castillo DE Calf Doubtful

Shawne Merriman LB Foot Questionable

Nick Hardwick C Ankle Questionable

Vincent Jackson WR Ribs Probable

Travis Johnson DE Groin Probable

Shaun Phillips LB Ankle Probable

Mike Scifres P left Groin Probable

Weather Report: Weather at kickoff will be 63 degrees with a nine mile per hour north westerly breeze

Final Score: Chargers 24 Chiefs 16

Excluding the last game these teams usually come through with a close game, usually decided by a possession or less. The Chargers will get a edge in this one since they have just a little bit more to be playing for and are far more talented but expect the Chiefs to put up a fight every step of the way.