Teicher: Chiefs-Chargers scouting report
 

Chiefs-Chargers scouting report
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
When the Chiefs run

EDGE >> CHARGERS

The Chiefs are the one team to have better than respectable rushing totals this season against San Diego. Jamaal Charles had 92 yards and the Chiefs gained 5.4 yards per carry last month against the Chargers. But the Chiefs have been beaten up front by their last two opponents, limiting their ability to run the ball. Worse, they handed the ball to their runners just 11 times against Oakland last week. They had better not give up on the run game so quickly Thursday night.

When the Chiefs pass

EDGE >> CHARGERS

Matt Cassel will start at quarterback for the Chiefs instead of the injured Brady Quinn. The only way Cassel will succeed is by stopping the heavy flow of turnovers. He has 16 in the six games in which he’s played and the Chiefs have no chance to win if he’s costing the Chiefs chances to score points and consistently tilting the field-position advantage to the Chargers. But he also needs more help than he’s been given by his teammates.

When the Chargers run

EDGE >> CHARGERS

Consistency has been a problem for the Chargers. Only twice this season have they been able to rush for more than four yards per carry during a game. The Chiefs did a nice job of slowing down the Chargers the last time. But the Chargers will bring a different look to their running game against the Chiefs. Ryan Mathews is healthy and out of Norv Turner’s doghouse because of fumbling problems. He gives the Chargers more big-play ability than Jackie Battle.

When the Chargers pass

EDGE >> CHARGERS

After having a big game against the Chiefs last month, Philip Rivers has cooled off a bit. He had a four-interception game against Denver and then barely completed half of his pass attempts last week against Cleveland. He’s also been limited by having a lack of reliable receivers to throw to. But none of that was a problem against the Chiefs the last time, when Eric Berry had difficulty covering tight end Antonio Gates.

Special teams

EDGE >> CHARGERS

The Chiefs had a couple of key breakdowns last week that cost them 10 points in a game they eventually lost by 10. While it’s reasonable to believe the usually surehanded Javier Arenas won’t be dropping any punt returns again soon, infractions such as the offside penalty to Jalil Brown on an Oakland field-goal attempt are occurring far too often for the Chiefs in the kicking game. They had three special-teams penalties in the first quarter alone in the recent loss to Tampa Bay.

Coaching

EDGE >> CHARGERS

Norv Turner and Romeo Crennel are coming under fire from their local fans for being in charge of underachieving teams. San Diego’s problems, except the subpar season from Rivers, are more understandable. The Chargers have had significant injury problems, particularly on offense. The Chiefs’ troubles, to the extent they’re happening, defy a logical explanation. This team should be beyond getting blown out every week, but Crennel can’t find a way to get the Chiefs around that.

X-factor

EDGE >> CHARGERS

The situation isn’t particularly sweet for the Chargers, who have lost three straight games as talk increases that Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will be fired at season’s end. But San Diego has to be confident about this game after routing the Chiefs at Arrowhead last month. The Chiefs are just trying to find that elusive formula that allows them to actually lead during a game and then be competitive throughout.

Bottom line

More than anything else, two failures are killing the Chiefs. By repeatedly committing turnovers, they’re not only costing themselves a chance at points but also giving the opponent a short field with which to work. By consistently falling behind early, they’re allowing the opponent to dictate the terms of the game to them. So things for the Chiefs would look a whole lot better Thursday night and for the rest of the season if they can those factors around. But turnovers and large deficits may be in their DNA. If that’s true, they have no shot to beat the Chargers. Prediction: Chargers 30, Chiefs 13.

LMAO

LOL

:facepalm:

we downgraded when we lost battle for hillis

I was pissed off that we scored that garbage time TD last week.

I wanted another 14+ point loss on Pioli's ledger.

BRING ON THE BLOWOUT BABY.

I didnt know if i should shroud my eyes from the onslaught of glaring text or the paint by numbers faint homerism.

"I knew Kent Blabb, I worked with Kent Blabb through many crises... and you, sir, are no Kent Blabb"

Very informative.

The Chiefs tried to have Oakland score before the end of the game taking 2 time-outs inside of the 2 minute warning in the 4th quarter with Oakland's offense inside of the Chiefs 20 yard line.

haha, this is gonna be ugly. Ill be watching looking for that blow out. hah

I guess Teicher is predicting another special teams or defensive score then? Or 2 safeties caused by Rivers and three fieldgoals?

Why does the Chiefs troubles defy explanation? Romeo can't explain what is going on... or he doesn't want to say it out loud. This team doesn't believe it can win under their current circumstances despite being able to say some of the right things to the media. Why won't any of them say, "It's tough watching a couple of guys take up 20% of the salary cap when they contribute to about 50% of our weaknesses on both sides of the ball?"

One garbage time TD.

You know we're good for it.

That's literally half our TDs this year.

Truth. The Chiefs only display a sense of urgency when the clock hits 6:00 in the 4th. Then they'll go for it on 4th, pass more than 10 yards, and even attempt an onsides kick when they need 2 scores in 1 minute. Craziest thing I've ever seen. We haven't even been IN a game to determine if Romeo's clock management rivals Herm's.