Usually I start off by looking at the pass rush of the opposing defense; but the Chiefs just don't have one.  How bad are they?  They will go down in the annals of history as one of the worst ever; right now they have six sacks (including one against the Bolts).  If they wind up with less than eight; that is the low water mark for any NFL team ever (the lowest in a 16 game season is 13).  They face a tough choice whether to draft a pass rusher or quarterback with their first round draft choice next year.

                                                                 Last of the Bohicans?

The Chargers sack production is way down this year and still they have picked up 26 sacks on the season.  I should note that Glenn Dorsey did have a good game against the Chargers including a sack; but for a top ten pick has not performed well overall.  It was a mistake for the Chiefs to trade Jared Allen; you just don't give up that much talent (AJ take note for talks with Merriman).  Not pressuring the quarterback leads to giving up big yards through the air; and it is not a big surprise that the Chiefs rank down near the bottom of the league; despite having  what looks to me like a solid secondary. 

Secondary
The Chiefs picked up Brandon Flowers; a corner many thought San Diego might take with their first rounder.  Against Denver he was always around the ball and looked sharp.  At 5'9" he is just little short if he gets lined up against Jackson or Floyd.  Brandon Carr on the other side has also played well, yet another rookie.  With Leggett performing well at safety; this secondary is pretty well stocked for the future. 

Bleeding Kansas
There will be a number of new faces in the Chiefs line up this Sunday; injuries have really hit them hard.  On defense Donnie Edwards will likely not play (it does look like letting him go was the right move for the Chargers), Derrick Johnson will be back at linebacker, but Babin will be a fill in at right defensive end; and at 267 pounds he seems like somebody that Marcus McNeil might be able to move out of the way.  It also looks like the backup center Adrian Jones, will start in place of Rudy Niswanger.  With Jamal in great form you have to wonder if they will be sponging him off the turf at the end of this one.

Weather
The forecast calls for 54 degrees and the chance of rain.  The Chiefs traditionally play well in Arrowhead in December.  That won't be good for the Chargers passing game; and in a power running matchup it's hard not to give Larry Johnson an edge.  Give credit to the Chiefs, the Raiders have gone belly up on the season; these guys are still playing hard.  This is not going to be an easy W.