The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t care about Peyton Manning’s new league record. All they cared about was their dominant performance to end Denver’s nine-game AFC West winning streak in a 29-13 destruction. The Chiefs now have a slim chance of making the playoffs, considering they string together more wins. And next week, they get the perfect dance partners in AFC West’s doormats the San Diego Chargers.
The Chargers have struggled this season, going just 2-7 through the first nine weeks. They’ll be hoping that coming off a Week 10 bye would help recharge them for the remaining seven games of the season.
Read on as we take a look at this crucial AFC West showdown. If you want some more divisional rivalries, check out our complete previews for the Packers vs. Vikings and Bills vs. Patriots.
[sc:Football ]Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers Preview
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
When: Sunday, November 22, 4:05 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at San Diego Chargers (+3); total: 44.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Kansas City Chiefs (4-5)
The Kansas City Chiefs beat Denver, 29-13, for their third-straight win on the strength of five Cairo Santos field goals and two touchdowns by running back Charcandrick West (one rushing and one receiving). Quarterback Alex Smith had a pretty tame effort, going 17 for 31 for 204 yards, including an 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown to West.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Aside from West, no other Chief had more than 37 yards receiving. While he had a strong outing in the passing game, he struggled to gain much ground on the run. West rushed for 69 yards on 24 carries for a paltry 2.9 yards per carry.
West will have more opportunities to unleash his rushing skills against San Diego’s 26th-ranked rushing defense that has allowed 122.9 yards per carry, and he’s no stranger to big games after gaining 207 yards and two scores combined in Weeks 7 and 8.
The Chiefs could also be dominant on the other side of the ball, as they were absolutely relentless against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Kansas City finished the game with five sacks and five interceptions. The same amount of pressure should help the Chiefs in a road game against San Diego. The Chargers are middling in the league in pass protection, allowing 21 sacks (14th in the league) thus far.
Defensive end Justin Houston (7.5 sacks) and linebacker Allen Bailey (4.5 sacks) should have a big day ahead against San Diego’s Philip Rivers. Putting forth a solid front seven could help the Chiefs build a solid win streak in an attempt to chase the postseason.
The Chiefs are 3-0 ATS in their last three games against San Diego.
Betting on the San Diego Chargers (2-7)
Philip Rivers threw for 280 yards and a touchdown in Week 9, but the San Diego Chargers still fell to Chicago, 22-19, for their fifth-straight loss. The Chargers remain very one dimensional, putting their trust in Rivers’ strong arm as the running game continues to struggle.
Led by Rivers, San Diego owns the league’s best passing offense with 328.6 yards per game. However, they’re a horrible 30th in rushing offense with just 85.3 yards per carry. First-round draft pick running back Melvin Gordon isn’t giving San Diego a solid option on the ground. He’s rushed for just 413 yards and no scores on 114 carries this season.
Rivers, though, has plenty of opportunities to shine again against Kansas City in this Sunday afternoon showdown. The Chiefs have allowed 17 touchdown passes this season, the fifth-most in the league this season.
Pass-catching running back Danny Woodhead led the Chargers with 78 yards and a score against the Bears in Week 9. Tight end Antonio Gates should also be a solid target for Rivers after racking up 312 yards and a score in his last four games after returning from a five-game suspension to start the year.
The Chargers could also do well if they could limit Kansas City’s own passing game. The Chiefs have allowed the third-most sacks this season, something that San Diego’s talented pair of pass-rushers could exploit. Linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu each have a team-high four sacks this season.
San Diego has won four of their last five home games against the Chiefs.
Writer’s Prediction
The Chargers get the upset with a tight home victory. Create a betting account now and enjoy the last few weeks of the 2015 NFL Regular Season.
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