This is a must win game for the Chargers, down by one game to the Denver Broncos a loss at home to the Chiefs would be devastating to their hopes of salvaging the season. Recent matchups provide little comfort; the Chiefs always play the Chargers tough.
The Chargers won at Kansas City 24-10 on December 5, 2007. LT rushed for two touchdowns and Vincent Jackson caught for one, but the Chargers only mustered 330 yards of offense. The real story of the game was one fumble recovery and three interceptions; two by Cromartie and one by Drayton Florence. That coupled with a powerful running game that booked 191 yards made this a surprisingly easy win in Arrowhead stadium. The Chiefs are usually tough on their on their home turf.
Kansas City came in and upset the Chargers at the Murph 30-16 on October 3, 2007. Dwayne Bowe looked unstoppable as he caught 8 for 164 yards and a touchdown. This game was closer than it appeared, the Chargers were down 23-16 in the fourth quarter when Rivers fumbled the ball and it was recovered and run back 50 yards for the final Kansas City touchdown. Rivers had an awful day throwing up two interceptions and coughing up that fumble. Marlon McCree and Clinton Hart both had interceptions, but the Chargers still lost the turnover battle 2-4. In the end that was the story of the game.
In the 2006 season on December 18, the Chiefs were run down by LT, 20-9 in San Diego. Tomlinson just ran right through them for 199 yards and two touch downs. Michael Turner chipped in 58 more as the Bolts rushed for 265 yards. The San Diego defense also came up big sacking Trent Green six times. Donnie Edwards was still covering the inside and came up with an interception. We will see Donnie Edwards again this Sunday as a Chief; I always enjoyed watching him play; it was too bad he and AJ didn't get along.
October 23, 2006 was a different story however as the Chargers would lose a close one 27-30 in Kansas City. After falling behind by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter the Bolts came roaring back with a 37 yard touchdown pass to LT, then LT threw a one yard pass to tie the game at 27. The furious comeback went for naught however when the Chiefs nailed a 53 yard field goal in the final seconds.
So over the last two years the Chiefs are 2-2 against the Bolts; this is a team the Chargers can't afford to overlook. If they get a loss hung on them here at home after the bye; it is hard to imagine them bouncing back from that.