Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/22

Chiefs vs. Chargers: Game Preview from The Mothership

To get their fourth win in a row, the Chiefs will need to beat a Chargers team that has currently lost five straight games in a row and has been decimated with injuries.

Earlier this season, the Chargers lost right guard Johnnie Troutman, running back Branden Oliver, wide receiver Keenan Allen and center Chris Watt, all to Injured Reserve, and their luck in that regard hasn't been all that better as of late.

Last week, WR Malcolm Floyd tore his labrum and has thus been ruled out for this week. Tight end Ladarius Green, who injured his ankle, and right guard D.J. Fluker, who suffered a concussion in practice Wednesday, are questionable to go. Defensive tackle Corey Liuget is also questionable for the Chargers due to a foot injury.

With all these injuries, particularly to the skill positions, look for San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers to utilize TE Antonio Gates and RB Danny Woodhead extensively on offense.

Chiefs vs. Chargers: How to Watch and Listen from The Mothership

TV Coverage

CBS

KCTV5 Local

Play-by-Play: Spero Dedes

Color Analyst: Solomon Wilcots

Sideline: Scott Kaplan

Chiefs Host Play 60 Event in Honor of American Indian Heritage Month from The Mothership

"There's a health problem that everybody faces," said Johnny Learned, president and CEO of the American Indian Center of the Great Plains in Kansas City. "Kids don't get the exercise. Last year we had a number of busloads come in from the reservation and we met in Lawrence (Kan.). This year we decided to move it here."

Kids were led by long snapper James Winchester and quarterback Tyler Bray to take part in long snapping and throwing and receiving drills while learning a few tips from the pros.

The two players not only represented the Chiefs, but also their American Indian heritage. Winchester is of Choctaw Nation and Bray is of Citizen Band Potawatomi.

"It's pretty special to have Native American heritage in my family and to recognize this month as Native American History Month," Winchester said. "The Chiefs have a lot of good things going on with the American Indian Center of the Great Plains.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: We Have Landed

Game Day Forecast from The National Weather Service

Today Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind.

Receiver Jeremy Maclin brings feisty, edgy attitude to Chiefs from The Kansas City Star

"He brings a little swag out there, and I love to see that," offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. "He definitely brings a great quality of football skills to what we're doing offensively, and then with that, comes the rest. So it was kind of a football-first (decision to sign him), and then whatever's coming with it, we'll take it."

And while Maclin has lived up to his contract on the field, his intangibles have been a net gain, as well, as Maclin's teammates and coaches say his take-no-stuff attitude has not only helped him earn the respect of his offensive linemen, it's also rubbed off on his younger players.

Chiefs' run game, defense boosts postseason push heading into Week 11 from Chiefs Digest

While Kansas City is amazingly in the playoffs discussion after starting 1-5, the Chiefs saved the season because the team's identity arguably formed during the winning streak.

"I think we're going to play good defense and offensively we do whatever it is to win the game," wide receiver Jason Avant said. "If that means we have to run the ball and control the clock, we will, and if that means we have to throw it, we will. But we are committed to the run game. We're a team that's committed to the run game and play good defense."

The Chiefs have excelled by combining a punishing run attack with dominating defensive performances in wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17 from ESPN

Though defense is deservedly getting the credit for Kansas City's recent turnaround, the offense is suddenly doing its part. 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, against the Detroit Lions, in which they played a bottom-five defense. The Chargers also have a bottom-five defense, so the Chiefs should be able to score enough to win this one, too.

Andy Reid poses test for Mike McCoy from The San Diego Union-Tribune

Playmakers

TE Travis Kelce

Kelce, smooth, large (6-foot-5, 260) and agile, is a matchup problem for most safeties, linebackers and slot cornerbacks. Averages five catches per game. Has four dropped passes.

Time is now for Chargers' Johnson, Inman from The San Diego Unionn-Tribune

The No. 1 wide receiver, Keenan Allen, is out for the season. The No. 2 wide receiver, Malcom Floyd, is out Sunday and possibly longer. The two combined for nearly 73 percent of the wide receiver corps' catch total and receiving yardage in the first eight games.

Two dominos are down.

A third and fourth still stand.

"I know what it is right now," Johnson said. "Once one and two go down, now you see the three guy. When three goes down, you see the four guy. That's what this league is about. It's about opportunities and seizing them. Right now, I have to do my part."

T.J. Ward questions consistency of NFL discipline from 9News

Still, Broncos' defensive coordinator Wade Phillips let his players know this week that all these after-the-play penalties his unit had been drawing needed to stop.

"We got the message," Ward said. "Some of those penalties came from us playing hard. But we do have to stop those. Have to follow the rules."

Chargers Collecting Non-Perishable Food at Chargers vs. Chiefs Game from NBC San Diego

Food collection bins will be placed around the parking lot when the parking lot gates open at 9 a.m. and entrance gates open at 11:35 a.m., prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Bright red barrels and Food Bank volunteers will signal drop-off locations.

Canned meats, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and soup are most-needed items, officials said. If you forget a perishable item but would still like to donate, volunteers will be collecting cash donations at Plaza Level Gates C and F.

Former Tennessee QB not pleased with Vols' late performance from SEC Country

Despite a sluggish offense, the Vols beat Missouri 19-8 on Saturday. Bray, who is now a backup quarterback with the Kansas City Chiefs, visited Knoxville for the Vols' game against South Carolina on Nov. 7.

Next Lions GM must-have skills: Winning, leadership from The Detroit Free Press

Chris Ballard, Chiefs director of football operations: A former college coach and player, Ballard spent 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears and helped build some of the team's rosters under Lovie Smith. He has been John Dorsey's chief lieutenant in Kansas City the last two seasons and nearly got the Bears GM job last year.

Instant Replay: Temple 31, Memphis 12 from CSN Philly

Scout's honor

There were several NFL scouts in attendance on Saturday afternoon, no doubt to see how projected first-round pick Lynch would fare against Temple's top-flight defense.

Representatives for New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs were among those at the stadium.

Only Brazilian in the NFL, Cairo Santos reveals plans for sport in the country from Globosporte [translated from the original Portuguese]

The plans Cairo refers concern the installation of training camps in Brazil. The cities where the so-called "camps" occur are not yet defined, since the idea is being negotiated. There are other projects in progress, but the player declined to advance what would be.

Cairo, the main issue separating the Brazilian sports of Americans is the lack of investment in the university world. The college football has as much or more devotion of its fans the NFL.