Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/21

Chiefs vs. Chargers: Five Things to Watch from The Mothership

3. Eliminate any kind of hope, momentum

During the Chiefs three-game winning streak, the team has outscored opponents 52-6 in the first half.

If they can find that kind of early success again on Sunday, particularly in facing a Chargers team looking for any kind of momentum after losing five straight, the pressure will all fall on the Chargers offense and Rivers in particular, who will be working to gain continuity with several receivers without a ton of experience with him.

Plus, an early lead also allows the Chiefs to pin their ears back and get after Rivers, which they did pretty well in their two games last season, sacking him a total of 9 times.

Chiefs vs. Chargers: Smith to Make Homecoming in San Diego on Sunday from The Mothership

Former Chiefs

San Diego offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris got his first NFL coaching job with Kansas City from 2008-09, where he was the Chiefs assistant offensive line coach.

Chargers quarterbacks coach Nick Sirianni (2009-12) began his NFL career as the Chiefs offensive quality control coach before being promoted to wide receivers coach in 2012.

San Diego CB Brandon Flowers (2008-13) spent several seasons in Kansas City after being drafted in the second round (35th overall) out of Virginia Tech. Flowers played in 87 games for the Chiefs, recording 17 interceptions and returning three for a touchdown.

San Diego ILB Joe Mays (2014) played a single season for the Kansas City Chiefs, recording 17 tackles.

Chargers TE Sean McGrath played for the Chiefs during the 2013 season when he caught 26 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns.

San Diego DT Damion Square was on the Kansas City roster for part of the 2014 season.

KCPS Honors Derrick Johnson and Scholastic from The Mothership

Over the past year, Derrick Johnson's Defend the Dream Foundation, with support from Scholastic, opened five DJ's Discover Dens in schools across Kansas City. These schools include Academia de Ninos and Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, as well as three Kansas City Public Schools, Satchel Paige Elementary School, Crispus Attucks Elementary School and Benjamin Banneker Elementary School.

Derrick Johnson's Defend the Dream Foundation transforms underutilized classrooms and libraries into reading oases, decorated with Chiefs colors, Derrick Johnson's Defend the Dream Foundation posters and comfortable furniture to read on. DJ's Discover Dens are stocked with 1,200 age-appropriate books, donated by Scholastic. Johnson's ultimate goal is open dens in every Title I school in Kansas City.

Will Shields Spoke at Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner from The Mothership

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame offensive lineman Will Shields spoke at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Thursday night. Shields shared his insight and leadership with those in attendance.

Burns & McDonnell CEO Greg Graves was named the Kansas Citian of the Year at the event.

Chiefs Download Podcast presented by Draft Kings: Danan Hughes and What to Watch For

Chiefs-Chargers scouting report from The Kansas City Star

Bottom line: Chiefs 24-20

The Chiefs are confident and upbeat after getting the Denver monkey off their backs last week. They are also riding a three-game winning streak, and with the chance to pull to .500 — after a miserable 1-5 start — hanging in the balance, they probably won't underestimate the still-dangerous Rivers.

Keys to the game: Chiefs @ Chargers from Chiefs Digest

The Chargers are not a strong defensive team, giving up 372 yards per game. They are ranked No. 24 in yards allowed and No. 27 in stopping the run, giving up 123 yards per game. That's a good scenario on paper for the K.C. offense. The key for coach Andy Reid is balance in play calling; in the three-game winning streak, the Chiefs are 52 percent pass plays and 48 percent run.

That's about as close to balance as Reid's offense has been during his time in Kansas City.

The Chiefs need balance, they need tough offensive line play, limited sacks and no turnovers. That's a formula that usually leads to victory.

Chiefs need to stay aggressive when protecting second-half lead from ESPN

Offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said the Chiefs didn't back off in their play-calling despite their lead of 19-0 at halftime.

"You're still in full-steam-ahead mode," he said. "Whoever was their quarterback, Peyton (Manning) or Brock (Osweiler), they're an explosive offense. We know that. They're a great defense. We know that. So we have to continue to be aggressive. Nineteen points is not enough against the Broncos and we knew that.

"It goes back to some of the plays that we left out there, whether it was sustaining a block or completing a pass, catching a pass, those types of things that broke down, that created those three-and-outs for us. Nineteen is not enough in this league and we have to stay aggressive in those situations."

Chiefs have begun talks with Jaye Howard on long-term deal from The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs have started the process of keeping one of their best young defensive players in the fold for years to come, as multiple sources told The Star on Friday the team has begun talks with defensive tackle Jaye Howard on a long-term deal.

Howard, 26, has emerged as a force on the Chiefs' defensive line this season, recording 40 tackles — the fourth-most on the team and the most among any Chiefs defensive lineman or edge rusher. Howard also has six tackles for loss, tied for second-most on the team, and 2 1/2 sacks while playing all along the defensive front.

Week 11: Friday injury report from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs officially ruled Bailey as out for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers. Bailey missed all three days of practice in recent days.

Two key members on defense, however, should be available, as cornerback Sean Smith (knee) and outside linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) are officially designated as probable, along with tight end Travis Kelce (groin).

Chiefs' Jah Reid fined for his hit on Von Miller from The Kansas City Star

On Friday, the NFL fined Reid $8,681 for the hit, according to a league spokesman.

In the second quarter, Reid pancaked Miller on a passing play. With Miller lying on the ground, Reid then dove on top of him, drawing the flag. Reid was assessed a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty that ultimately thwarted a drive.

Chiefs' Jah Reid fined for unnecessary roughness against Broncos from Chiefs Digest

Broncos safety T.J. Ward was fined $10,000 for unnecessary roughness, according to the league spokesman.

Ward struck Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in the head at the end of running back Charcandrick West's 80-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

LaDainian Tomlinson had season-worth of success vs. Chiefs from ESPN

The Chargers will honor Tomlinson at halftime of Sunday's game against the Chiefs in San Diego. They will retire his jersey No. 21 and wear their powder blue uniforms.

Tomlinson is the fourth Charger to have his number retired, following quarterback Dan Fouts, wide receiver Lance Alworth and linebacker Junior Seau. All have their own histories against the Chiefs, and all are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sean McGrath thankful for time with Chiefs, opportunity with Chargers from Chiefs Digest

McGrath, who graduated from Henderson State with a degree in art, used the time away from football to rediscover his creative side.

The native of Mundelein, Ill., began putting together a portfolio and attending lectures while living in Chicago with a goal of pursing a master's degree in art.

"When I was living in the city, I was mostly working with paint and charcoal," McGrath said. "I was pretty much living at the Art Institute (of Chicago), kind of just absorbing what was going on there. The art scene in the city, it's just great."

But as time went on during the football season, he began missing the game and made the decision to return.

"I started to realize we only get one life to live and I may as well live in the now," McGrath said.

The Chiefs reinstated McGrath from the reserve/did not report list on April 15, 2015 before waiving him, which made McGrath a free agent.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers earns Chiefs' respect with game, trash talk from The Kansas City Star

Toward the end of the Chiefs' 19-7 win over the Chargers in last year's season finale, defensive end Nick Williams remembers another good-natured Rivers barb.

"He told us, 'Don't worry about it, y'all going home, too,' " Williams said with a laugh.

So this is the kind of guy the Chiefs will be facing at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium — a jovial gunslinger who loves the game of football as much as he likes talking trash, a reputation that apparently dates back to his days at North Carolina State.

Chargers face a streaking Alex Smith as Chiefs' QB from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Just try to ask Chiefs coach Andy Reid about the remarkable streak of passes that Alex Smith has thrown this season without an interception.

You'll get about four words out before you get shushed.

Who knew Reid was so superstitious?

Smith has thrown 228 consecutive passes without an interception heading into Sunday's game at San Diego, a streak that dates to the third quarter of a Week 3 loss in Green Bay. Smith needs just six more without a pick and to break the franchise record set by Steve DeBerg in 1990.

The San Diego Chargers will win against the Kansas City Chiefs from Bolts from the Blue

Maybe? Possibly? Stranger things have happened. If the San Diego Chargers upset the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, these three reasons will be why it happened.

Scouting Bolts' Tyrell Williams vs. Chiefs from The San Diego Union Tribune

Malcom Floyd is down.

Tyrell Williams could be up.

Williams, a rookie receiver with intriguing speed, size and agility, could be at receiver Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I think he'll be ready; he's got a ton of talent; he's got fresh legs," said Chargers backup quarterback Brad Sorensen, who threw most of the passes that Williams caught in training camp and the August exhibitions.

Can the Denver Broncos be caught in the AFC West race? from The Denver Post

Chiefs: The team that just beat the Broncos Sunday has one main advantage over the bullies of the AFC West down the stretch — schedule. Kansas City has the league's easiest remaining schedule mostly because of the immense difficulties their early season slate presented. The Buffalo Bills (5-4) are the only team with a winning record remaining on their schedule. Every game could be considered winnable especially with the way Kansas City's defense is playing. They are in the best position for the move.

Analytics sees Bolts-KC drama, RB going off from The San Diego Union-Tribune

The Chargers have mastered the narrow defeat this year.

Number crunchers say it'll happen again this Sunday.

Cleaving to the betting line, sports analytics site numberFire.com predicts a Bolts loss, 26-23, Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Although the site gives the Chargers a 38-percent chance to end their five-game losing steak, it sees Chiefs running back Charcandrick West as the statistical game MVP.

NFL Still Backs Washington Racist Name, But Some Teams Making Changes for Better from Indian Country Today Media Network

A few other teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, are making efforts to demonstrate cultural respect to Native tribes.

The Chiefs, whose fans still employ the ‘tomahawk chop' and wear fake native headdresses, have been working with an American Indian Community Working Group for the past couple of seasons. The group has been at the forefront of the Chiefs' effort to reshape the culture in the Kansas City fan base for a team that includes quarterback Tyler Bray (Citizen Potawatomi) and long snapper James Winchester (Choctaw).

Earlier this month, the Chiefs honored representatives from 15 Native nations, including NFL Hall of Famer Jim Thorpe's son Bill Thorpe, at Arrowhead Stadium. The Native American Heritage ceremonies also included a blessing ceremony by Moses Starr, Jr., a spiritual leader of Cheyenne-Arapaho tribes from Concho, Okla.

WATCH: The Chargers are Feeling Salty from NBC San Diego

Hey, that's great. It's nice to see them feeling bad after the season they've had. The only question I have is ... WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG!?!?

Letting a game get away against the Steelers is enough to get a team feeling ticked off. Falling at Lambeau Field is nothing to be ashamed of, but still tough because they had their chances to win. Getting dismantled by the Raiders at home is downright embarrassing, and that's where I would have thought the salty attitude would have really come out. But then they failed to finish a game they had to have against the Ravens and blew a 13-0 lead at home to the Bears, which was ridiculous.

The Playbook: A complete guide to Week 11 action around the NFL from Sports Illustrated

Shaking off a five-game losing skid, the Kansas City Chiefs now find themselves just a game back in the AFC wild-card race. The 2-7 Chargers stand firmly in their way. The Chiefs and Chargers will meet twice in the next four weeks, with San Diego hoping to play spoiler.

To do so, its battered offensive line will have to step up. Kansas City's fearsome pass rush has found its stride—five sacks in Denver last week, six of Matthew Stafford back in Week 8. The Chiefs' offense still runs hot and cold, but it doesn't take much to win when the defense is playing as it is.—CB

NFL Week 11 predictions: Expect Panthers, Patriots to improve to 10-0 from ESPN

CHIEFS VS. CHARGERS

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are averaging almost 25 points per game, 10th best in the NFL, and that's after playing five games against opponents rated in the top 10 in scoring defense. They scored 45 points in the one game in which they played a bottom-five defense, against the Lions. The Chargers also have a bottom-five defense, so look for the Chiefs to score enough points to win. Chiefs 24, Chargers 17. -- Adam Teicher

San Diego Chargers: Since Week 7, the Chiefs lead the NFL with a plus-10 turnover differential, and they are the only team that hasn't turned the ball over in that span, according to ESPN Stats and Information. The Chargers have a minus-5 turnover differential this season and have lost the turnover battle in six of their nine games this season. The Chiefs should force the Chargers to turn the ball over a couple of times. San Diego is undermanned on offense and will struggle to protect Philip Rivers against Kansas City's potent pass rush.Chiefs 24, Chargers 20. -- Eric Williams

STEPPING UP SECURITY IN SAN DIEGO IN WAKE OF PARIS, MALI ATTACKS from San Diego 6

The San Diego Police Department is ramping up security at sporting events, parades and holiday festivals.

Police say there will be added security at this weekend's chargers game at Qualcomm Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as at Balboa Park's December Nights.

The NFL's most overrated teams from The Washington Post

Relative to record, the SRS (along with DVOA and the FPI) is very high on the Chiefs, ranking them as the sixth best team in the NFL.  It is no surprise that Kansas City, which started 1-5 and lost superstar running back Jamaal Charles for the season, isn't often in the discussion of best NFL teams. But Kansas City's schedule has been 1.5 points tougher than average (sixth hardest in the NFL), and despite the losing record, the Chiefs have actually outscored opponents by 29 points.  Kansas City lost in the final seconds to both Denver and Chicago, games that will hurt the team's chances of making the playoffs but don't need to tank the Chiefs' ratings.

Old school not looking that bad right now from The Newton Daily News

As for the NFL season, my outlook got a lot better last Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs went to Denver and toppled the Broncos. What got me a bit hot under the collar is the excuse-making for the poor performance of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. If he was that injured, he shouldn't have been playing. The Chiefs' defense had his number for seven quarters of the eight the team have played this season — four came Sunday. Manning brought the Broncos back to tie the game in Kansas City earlier.

The talking heads, whether on television or radio, need to give players and teams their due. On that day, the Chiefs looked like the team, especially defensively, we fans thought they'd be all season.