Week One Matchup: The Chargers

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Wow, we are one week away from our Monday Night Football game with the Chargers!  One Week!  I honestly don't know if I'm excited we will provide an upset or scared that we will get dominated like last year.  The Chargers are still a tough team even without Jackson, McNeill, and possibly Merriman.  Let's look at our history with the Chargers.  Our all time record against the Chargers is 50 wins-48 losses-1 tie.  Out of all those games we have scored 2155 points to the Chargers 1975 points.  The last time we faced them was last year on November 29th.  We got demolished 43 to 14.  After the jump I'll take a look at who has the advantage in every match-up.

When the Chargers pass:  Tie!

I know what you are thinking.  How can this be a tie with Rivers throwing the ball?  We have one elite corner, yes elite, and another corner that is solid.  We also added Arenas who can cover the nickle WR that always kills us on the Chargers.  Berry will also take away that "comfort" completion Rivers will have in the middle.  Rivers will actually have to look for our safeties now before throwing it giving our pass rush more time.  He also don't have his best WR or Pro-Bowl left tackle.

When the Chargers run:  Chargers Win!

I'm still not sold on our run stopping as of yet.  I don't think the Chargers will get over 200 total yards rushing though.  They have a solid power running rookie in Mathews and one of the best change of pace backs in Sproles.  They will have the most success rushing in the red zone against us scoring at least 1 touchdown.

When the Chiefs pass:  Tie!

Yes, another tie in the passing area.  Let's face it the Chiefs aren't exactly elite at throwing the ball right now but niether are the Chargers at stopping the pass.  We have more weapons for Cassel to work with which will help especially in the slot.  The Chargers are a pretty young defensive unit much like we are.  They are also spread thin at linebacker with Merriman most likely missing and Butler on IR.

When the Chiefs run:  Chiefs Win!

What do you get when you have one of the best running games in the NFL?  Oh!  Plenty of yards and time of possession!  Once again, I'm not impressed with the Chargers linebackers and their D-Lineman aren't fast enough to get to the edge which is where we will have more success.  Charles will be able to break ankles in the defensive backfield and have plenty of success.  We also have McCluster on some wildcat if we need to.  We also have Jones and Battle for some power rushing near the goal line.

Special Teams:  Tie!

We have a new reason to be excited in our return game but the Chargers are already established with Sproles.  The AFC West also have the best punters and kickers in the NFL.

X-Factor:  Chiefs!

We are the underdogs and the Chargers probably don't expect much.  We have a perfect time to punch them right in the face.  We are also at home on a MONDAY NIGHT game.  The crowd will be our 12th person on defense.  We also have McCluster.

Coaching:  Chiefs!

We have a better offense and defense coordinator than the Chargers.  We also have an advantage that there is hardly any film besides preseason on what they will do with the Chiefs.  Preseason was very vanilla so that really don't help the Chargers any.

Who will win:  Chiefs!

I don't think this will be a high scoring game at all.  As weird as this sounds I think it will be more of a defensive battle than a scoring fest.  I predict the Chiefs win over the Chargers 24 to 17.

Go Chiefs!