Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs-Chargers scouting report

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-31-2012, 09:43 PM

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.

10-31-2012, 09:43 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $892813	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.
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