Week Eight Match-Up: San Diego Chargers

by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 25, 2011 12:56 AM CDT

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

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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Comments

I agree with your analysis 100%.

rec’ed

by DivineGrace on Oct 25, 2011 1:35 AM CDT reply actions

ty sir!

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by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 25, 2011 1:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree with everything

except I think Chargers have an advantage when they pass. Yes, they look very susceptible with the pass, but as much as I don’t want to say it, Phyllis River is always a major passing threat.

by andrew33 on Oct 25, 2011 1:53 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah but

last game this year we held Rivers to his lowest QB Rating in like 39 games so Romeo has his number. Also, Rivers hasn’t been looking good especially last week wheras our secondary is fired up.

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by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 25, 2011 1:57 AM CDT up reply actions

^^^^THIS^^^^

I have a feeling Romeo and our Defense are going to have a feild day with Rivers Monday. In my heart of hearts I think Romeo is the best D-Cord in the game right now.

by DivineGrace on Oct 25, 2011 2:38 AM CDT up reply actions

but he also beasted the hell out of us the second game

so Romeo kind of has his number, or Turner got Romeos number

BOOM!

by 808NaNz808 on Oct 25, 2011 2:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm talking about the last game for this year

but yeah last year was pretty beastly. I’m not concerned though since Rivers isn’t himself lately. The only thing I’m worried about is their tall WR’s against our smaller D-backs.

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by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 25, 2011 2:57 AM CDT up reply actions

rain

not to put a negative on this but it did havea factor in tne game. This year Im hoping that the 12th man will have a huge effect ie the Bills game when they were 6-0. Lets get loud!

by tomachop on Oct 25, 2011 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Both teams played in it lol

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by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 25, 2011 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought the Raider game would be a close game also.

I also think MNF will be a close game as well. Here is for hoping i’m wrong……again.

"We couldn't beat the Chiefs, but we damn near killed their horse"
John Madden 1975 Chiefs-42 Raiders-10

by Chiefs_40 on Oct 25, 2011 6:48 AM CDT reply actions

Having that bye when we did was just what the doctor ordered for our D

Rivers almost definitely has to be hurt because he looks nothing like himself. Conversely they have been on the downward slope and losing their D-Coordinator hurts.

by RamX21 on Oct 25, 2011 8:54 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

The Jets Defense is pretty stout...

Hopefully the rumor that Rivers has a minor injury is true. Gates played against the Jets and was another target that had to be looked at… He wasn’t in against the 20-17 Chargers win.

The Chargers typically suck when they have to play in colder climates ie NY. So hopefully this is a cold game on the field, and the fans in the stadium fire up our Chiefs. This is going to be a tight game that we are going to have our A game.

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Oct 25, 2011 10:19 AM CDT reply actions

Defense will be the difference...

We’ll need to hit Rivers early and often, and shut down Gates on short-yardage downs. If we do those things, Chiefs win. I predict a couple big plays from our RBs.

by crazychiefsfan on Oct 25, 2011 10:54 AM CDT reply actions

I asked Siri,

“Will KC Chiefs win the game this weekend?”
Her reply was, “Fuck-Yes!”

by Mitul V. Patel on Oct 25, 2011 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

This matchup looks like a KC win to me...

Which is why I’m nervous. We are riding a 3 game win streak into Arrowhead for a Monday night brawl. The Bolts just got beat late game by the Jets, and will be hungry for a win. I hope the D and the crowd can disrupt Rivers early, but our Offense has started slow in the recent games. Can we keep it close early in the game? I expect the Chargers to be pissed and try to take it out on us. Akbar thinks its a trap, and so do I. Here’s hoping I’m wrong.

by TheDudeAbides007 on Oct 26, 2011 6:05 AM CDT reply actions

Early division game with implications for both teams.

I’ll have to temper my expectations for this one. As far as the passing game goes to me it’s in SD’s favor. The difference is Phyllis. Of course the killer B’s are superior to SD’s wideouts, but Gates will be a factor as we struggle to cover the TE position. In a toss up between Phyllis and Cassel, I have to go with Phyllis ever so slightly. He may be a punk bitch, but he’s still a good QB. Our secondary feasted on horrible QB play in Oakland, as they should have. I’m not 100% convinved they can shutout an NFL starter like that.

I feel like the running game’s a wash too. Haley and Co. need to commit to Jackie Battle to prevail here. Battle gets 100 yards and it’s the Chiefs game.

I can’t give the kicking game to the Chiefs either based on the info given above. Scifres gets 2.1 yards more per punt on average than Colquitt. Novak hasn’t missed an attempt this season, while Succop had that terrible start.

Given the info from the original post my heart says Chiefs win this one, but if it comes down to a FG my gut says it could go either way.

by fishbowl72 on Oct 26, 2011 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

I'll take field position anyday

that often sets the better team up with more points. Our coverage team is night and day better. The kickers on their team are a bit better but they have to get in range to get points same as us.

Rivers is good but he hasn’t looked the same whereas our defense is fired up. Especially at home on Monday night. Rivers should have more trouble.

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by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 26, 2011 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions