clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

49ers-Chargers On Thursday Night Football Meaningful For Chiefs

KANSAS CITY MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26 2010 in Kansas City Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26 2010 in Kansas City Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Yes we said yesterday that we were closing the book on the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers game and we are. But we're not quite done with the Chargers just yet.

San Diego hosts the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football in a game that has playoff implications in Kansas City. The Chiefs are currently one game ahead of the Chargers which means a San Diego loss on Thursday night could potentially give KC some serious breathing room.

A Chargers loss combined with a Chiefs victory against the St. Louis Rams means the Chiefs would need to win just one of the two remaining games to lock up the AFC West. A Chargers victory, however, keeps the pressure on the Chiefs to win this Sunday.

NFL odds say the Chargers are nine point favorites over the San Francisco 49ers, who stand just one game out of first place in the NFC West with a 5-8 record. So there's motivation for San Francisco to come out swinging in this game.

Even with the Chiefs miserable performance against the Chargers last weekend, Kansas City still controls its own destiny. Winning out is the easiest way to ensure a playoff spot. But a San Diego loss would go a long way to making this final month a little easier on all of us.

Who knows...if the 49ers beat the Chargers, maybe Shaun Smith thanks Anthony Davis.

If you're interested in becoming a 49ers fan this week, check out Niners Nation.

Arrowhead Pride Premiere

Sign up now for a 7-day free trial of Arrowhead Pride Premier, with exclusive updates from Pete Sweeney on the ground at Arrowhead, instant reactions after each game, and in-depth Chiefs analysis from film expert Jon Ledyard.