It is that time again for another breakdown. This week the Chiefs defend Arrowhead after a 3 game winning streak. They will host the divisional rival the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers had a pretty bad game against the Jets this last week.
I'll take a look at the passing, rushing, special teams, and coaching. I'll even take a look at the x-factor while trying to be as unbiased as possible.
Chiefs QB: Matt Cassel
Chargers QB: Philip RIvers
The Chargers are 7th in passing yards with 273 yards per game through the air. The Chiefs are 30th in the league in passing yards with 173 yards per game through the air. The Chargers have allowed about 175 yards per game passing. The Chiefs have allowed about 235 yards per game passing. The Chargers allow the opposing QB to complete about 63 percent of their passes. The Chargers defense have 6 interceptions to their credit. The Chiefs allow the opposing QB to complete about 58 percent of their passes. The Chiefs have 11 interceptions to their credit. Rivers has looked pretty bad this season thus far throwing 9 INT's to his 7 TD's. I've heard he has been playing through an injury. Sounds like excuses coming from San Diego to me. Cassel's QB rating isn't that much lower than Rivers'. Cassel has 1 more TD and 2 less INT's.
When The Chiefs Pass: Tie
When The Chargers Pass: Tie
Chiefs Running Backs: Jackie Battle, Thomas Jones
Chargers Running Backs: Ryan Mathews, Mike Tolbert
The Chargers are ranked 14th in the league with 118 yards per game. The Chiefs are ranked 7th in the league with 129 yards per game. The Chargers are 21st in the league when it comes to stopping the run allowing 121 yards per game on the ground. The Chiefs are 25th in the league when it comes to stopping the run allowing 126 yards per game on the ground. The Chargers allow 4.7 yards per rushing attempt. The Chiefs allow 4.1 yards per rushing attempt.
When The Chiefs Run: Chiefs
When The Chargers Run: Chargers
Chiefs Special Teams: Ryan Succop, Dustin Colquitt, PR/KR Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster
Chargers Special Teams: Nick Novak, Mike Scifres, PR/KR Richard Goodman, Bryan Walters
Novak has made all of his field goals this year including 1 from 50 plus. Succop has missed 3 field goals this year. Scifres averages 47.3 yards per punt. Colquitt averages 45.2 yards per punt. The Chargers are averaging about 7.8 yards per punt return and 22.3 kick return. The Chiefs are averaging about 15.5 yards per punt return and 23.4 kick return. The Chargers allow 15.9 yards per punt return and 28.6 yards per kick return. The Chiefs allow 8 yards per punt return and 20.6. So the Chiefs kickers are a bit better this year whereas the Chiefs coverage team and returners are quite a bit better.
Special Teams: Chiefs
Chiefs Coaches: Todd Haley, Bill Muir, Romeo Crennel
Chargers Coaches: Norv Turner, Clarence Shelmon, Greg Manusky
It seems like Chiefs are buying into Haley right now. Muir is finally getting Red Bull during the games to call the plays. Crennel has only allowed 1 QB to throw for over 300 yards against the Chiefs since he has been coordinator. The year before Crennel there were 6 games over 300 yards passing against the Chiefs with 2 of those being over 400 yards. That just blows my mind. The Chargers coaches seem to get the team fired up but they can only go as far as Rivers arm takes them.
Coaching: Chiefs
The Chiefs are coming back to Arrowhead after a huge win in Oakland. The Chiefs are riding a 3 win streak looking to be back in the AFC West race. The Chargers come to Arrowhead after a huge loss against the Jets. Rivers is also looking off of his game. The Chiefs will be too fired up on National T.V. like they were last year against the Chargers.
X - Factor: Chiefs
The Chiefs are going to prove they can win big games with major injuries to their team. They will want to prove that last year wasn't a fluke. The Chargers hope to stop the Chiefs from being at the top of the division. The Chiefs just have so much momentum right now while the Chargers seem lost. I am 4-2 in picking the Chiefs games this year. Although, last week I said the game with Oakland was going to be close.
Winner: Chiefs