San Diego Chargers: A Closer Look from The Mothership
It's impossible to talk about the Chargers and not start with quarterback Philip Rivers.
He's leading the NFL with a 117 quarterback rating, ranks third in passing yards with over 1,700 and has 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
The Chargers passing offense has seen 28 completions of 20 yards or more, which leads the NFL. They rank third in the NFL in yards after the catch with 766.
Simply put, Rivers is at his best when the ball is out of his hands quickly.
10/15 Practice Recap: Eric Berry Returns to Practice from The Mothership
Berry, who has compiled 232 tackles, eight interceptions and 5.5 sacks during his five years with the Chiefs, is one of the team's most important players in pass coverage.
A return Sunday would provide a significant boost to the Chiefs defense against a Chargers team that boasts the No. 6 offense in the league in yards passing and leads the NFL with 28 completions of 20 yards or more.
That success has been mainly due to the continued visible resurgence of Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers, who Reid admitted Wednesday has gelled with head coach Mike McCoy's new offensive system introduced to Rivers in 2013.
Chiefs Mailbag: Using Charles and Davis in San Diego? from The Mothership
Josh from Topkea: Will coach Reid go back to a substantial use of
Jamaal Charles andKnile Davis against San Diego?Jamaal Charles is one of the best running backs in the NFL, and Knile Davis showed early in the season he can be counted on to carry the load if needed.
While coach Reid doesn't make a habit of telling everyone exactly what he's going to do against a particular opponent, there's always an explanation of the decisions that he makes.
Much was made of just a few plays against San Francisco in the second half, and the bottom line is if the Chiefs offense converts on third down and puts points on the board, nobody is going to care how they got there.
Chiefs Support Women Battling Cancer from The Mothership
On Tuesday, the Chiefs, along with The University of Kansas Hospital (TUKH) and the American Cancer Society, hosted an event for women battling breast cancer.
"To me, this is one of the most fantastic events I've seen during the month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month," Jamie Wagner, Breast Surgical Oncologist with TUKH, noted. "This is exactly the kind of encouragement that they need to get past those tough days of treatment or sickness or recovery from surgery. This event helps them remember that they are beautiful women and there is life after breast cancer."
The luncheon was intended to help improve women's self-esteem, self-image and their quality of life while undergoing cancer treatments. The women were able to try on different hair pieces, scarves, hats or hair wraps, learn about different makeup techniques and nail care.
Lamar Hunt: All that is New is not Good from The Mothership
As the 70s wore on beloved fan favorites began to retire, or some began to see their skills decline. Bobby Bell called in quits in 1974. Buck Buchanan went the next year as did Otis Taylor and Len Dawson. More were to follow.
The new faces that replaced them fell well short of their talents and fans reacted negatively believing somehow the oldsters would be around forever. It was a feeling that persists to this day when favored stars depart, particularly in the era of free agency where players now have that choice.
KCChiefs.com Podcast: Chiefs Download 10/15
KCChiefs.com Video: Locker Room Sound: 10/15
KCChiefs.com Video: Twitter Q&A: Junior Hemingway
KCChiefs.com Video: Arrowhead Update 10/15: Berry Continues Practicing
KCChiefs.com Video: A Scout's Eye: Chiefs pass rush vs. Philip Rivers
KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Brief: Smith Returns to San Diego
Chiefs set to square off against familiar face from Chiefs Digest
Flowers, who played six seasons in Kansas City and made the Pro Bowl last year, initially appeared stunned by the Chiefs' decision to let him go.
"I was very surprised when it happened," Flowers told NFL Total Access in June (:24 mark). "I know I hit the cap pretty hard, but I thought if I was going to get traded or released it would be in February or March sometime.
"The timing that they did it, it kind of hit me. So that's why I stayed in the division. I want to play the Chiefs again, let them know how I felt about it."
Chargers coach Mike McCoy knows Flowers is excited to play against his former team.
Chiefs get to see what they could have had from ESPN
Flowers, after having what for him was a substandard season for the Chiefs last season, is again playing like one of the NFL's top cornerbacks. Pro Football Focus has him as the best corner in the NFL this season among 103 cornerbacks.
While the Chiefs probably won't get an up close look at what they missed in Flowers after releasing him in June, a cornerback they could have had will play against them. The Chiefs in this year's draft passed on the chance to select TCU's Jason Verrett in the first round, instead going for Auburn linebacker Dee Ford. The Chargers drafted Verrett two spots later.
Chiefs pass defense faces tough test vs. Chargers from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City
The sight of quarterbacks feasting on the Chiefs' defense left an impression throughout the final seven games of the 2013 regular season.
The Chiefs allowed an average of 306 yards passing per game, and finished 25th in the NFL in pass defense last year. That doesn't include Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's 443 yards passing in the playoffs.
The swirling Midwest winds blew in a change from a season ago. The Chiefs are currently ranked seventh in the NFL against the pass.
Quarterbacks, including Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, have not had their way against the Chiefs' defense through five games. The second half of the 2013 season was the needed catalyst for improvement.
Week 7: Wednesday injury report from Chiefs Digest
The Chiefs list five players on the initial injury report for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.
And it appears strong safety Eric Berry (ankle) is on the path to make a return after missing the last three games.
The Chiefs list Berry as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, and he practiced Monday.
Another day, another practice for Eric Berry from ESPN
The Chiefs have ruled out starting wide receiver Donnie Avery for Sunday's game. He recently had surgery to repair a sports hernia.
Nickelback Chris Owens (knee) and reserve running back Cyrus Gray (hand) are the other players who were scheduled to miss practice.
Chiefs gave up quickly on Nico Johnson from ESPN
The Chiefs drafted Johnson knowing he had holes in his game, mainly a weakness in the passing game. He showed little in the way of pass-rush skills in college at Alabama and wasn't good in coverage.
That's OK. The Chiefs thought he could be a two-down run-stopper, but they figured out quickly Johnson wasn't going to be able to do even that to their liking.
Chiefs sign LB Orie Lemon to practice squad from Chiefs Digest
The Chiefs filled Johnson's former spot on the practice squad with the signing of linebacker Orie Lemon, who spent time on the Chiefs roster during the 2013 offseason.
The 6-1, 242-pound Lemon originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State with the Dallas Cowboys.
He was with the Chiefs during the 2013 offseason before being released.
Chiefs seek more production from defense from Lindy's Sports
This season as the Chiefs come back from their bye week and prepare to play divisional rival San Diego, the KC defense has not been as productive as last year's unit and deserves its share of the blame for the 2-3 record at the bye week. Still, the defense has been the most consistent part of the Chiefs' on-field efforts through five games. The offense has been all over the place. The special teams have not been consistent producers and have made a number of key mistakes.
Andy Reid: Scheme fit not reason for Chiefs releasing Brandon Flowers from ESPN
"Brandon's a good football player," Reid said. "And he's doing a nice job this year. I'm happy for him there."
Asked if Flowers was not a fit schematically, here's what Reid had to say: "I wouldn't say that. This is the National Football League, and this is how things work. The important thing is he's happy and he's doing well."
Rivers on record pace as Chargers ready for Chiefs from Lindy's Sports
Those wondering why the San Diego Chargers are looking for their sixth win already need only look at No. 17 - quarterback Phillip Rivers.
When the Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, seeking to extend their longest winning streak since 2009, Rivers is the reason.
He has thrown 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions and that only tells half the story.
Given additional responsibilities and roles under coach Mike McCoy, now in his second year, Rivers is almost like another coach, not that this is too much for him.
Are byes working against Chargers? from The San Diego Union-Tribune
When they face the Chiefs on Sunday, the Chargers will play an AFC West team coming off a bye for the second week in a row.
The Raiders turned in their best performance of the season Sunday, though the Chargers still won 31-28
Was the preceding bye a factor in Oakland's sharp improvement? Did extra rest benefit Raiders players? Did interim coach Tony Sparano make deft use of the extra hours?
Must-watch NFL games: Week 7 from Ocolly.com
3. Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
Game Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: San Diego -4
Who would of thought coming into the year that at Week 6 the Chargers would be 5-1 and arguably the best team in the stacked AFC? Not only is quarterback Phillip Rivers having an MVP-like season, that Chargers defense is the 3rd best in the NFL. On the other side, you have a struggling Kansas City Chiefs team that went from contender to pretender in a matter of a few weeks. At 2-3, and in a division that boosts the two best teams in the AFC, there is no room for error. The passing attack lead by quarterback Alex Smith is 29th in the league. Running back Jamaal Charles has been dealing with injures and hasn't been himself. I like the Chargers to improve to 6-1.
Willie Roaf Set for Oct. 18 NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute from ArkLaTexHomepage.com
Louisiana Tech and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor Willie Roaf with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, on Oct. 18 in Ruston during the game between Louisiana Tech and UTSA. Coverage of the game will start at Noon ET on Fox Sports Network.
"I am very excited about being inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame," Roaf said in a Louisiana Tech release after the announcement in May. "I just tried to improve myself while we as a team wanted to play with the big boys. We worked hard with the coaching staff, and it shows how far our program has come and how hard we worked and played. I couldn't accept this without recognizing the guys I played with and the coaches that coached me - I wouldn't be there without them."
Week 7 NFL picks: Panthers upset Packers; 49ers, Patriots, Colts roll from Sporting News
Stealth Showdown of the Week
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS). The best-kept secret (relatively speaking) in the NFL can't stay under the radar much longer. It's more than Philip Rivers playing out of his mind, too. The 2-3 Chiefs, coming off a bye, can play themselves right back into the AFC West race, or play themselves out of it. They seem better than their record, but that doesn't matter this week. Chargers 31, Chiefs 24
Tough Road Ahead from NBC San Diego
Last Sunday the Oakland Raiders, fresh off a bye, played the Bolts tough. This Sunday the Bolts host the Chiefs who, like the Raiders, will be well rested. Kansas City hasn't played since October 5th.
Seem a bit unfair? It gets worse for the Bolts. After the KC game on Sunday the Chargers have only a few days to prepare for yet another division opponent. They play at Denver on Thursday night.
Eddie Royal, Shareece Wright practice from The San Diego Union Tribune
The team returned to practice Wednesday with wide receiver Eddie Royal (elbow) and cornerback Shareece Wright (knee) among the notable participants. San Diego is getting healthier entering the stretch in which it plays two divisional games in five days, beginning Sunday against the Chiefs.
Cornerback Brandon Flowers (groin) didn't practice.