San Diego Chargers Shut Out the Chiefs

Source: YardBarker.com

The San Diego Chargers stepped into the game looking up at the first place Kansas City Chiefs and were in a DO or DIE situation. If they left the game with a loss, they would have to kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. In this must win game, the San Diego Chargers would have to play without Pro Bowl Tight End Antonio Gates, but would get the services of Vincent Jackson back.

The Chiefs entered the game without their starting quarterback Matt Cassel, who had to have an appendectomy on Wednesday. They still came into the game confident thinking that their running attack and defense would propel them to a victory. They didn’t expect to see this San Diego Chargers team. A San Diego Chargers team that was hungry and desperate playing with their backs up against the wall. This is a San Diego Chargers team that has won 4 of their last 5 games and has dramatically changed from the Chargers game that they had played against in week 1.

The San Diego Chargers dominated the Chiefs in every aspect of the football game. The San Diego Chargers on offense were led by their running attack. All three running backs had big contributions on offense which allowed the Chargers to control the clock and control the football. The Chargers finished the game with over 200 yards on the ground. Mike Tolbert,, Ryan Mathews, and Darren Sproles all rushed for 50+ yards in the game and Tolbert and Mathews each finished with a TD.Philip Rivers finished the game with over 200 yards passing and had 2 touchdown passes to Malcom Floyd. Rivers spread the ball around to 7 different receivers and was very efficient in the passing game. Floyd hurt his shoulder in the game, so we will need to keep an eye on his status during the week. The passing game did get a little boost from Vincent Jackson who had 2 receptions, but he had a huge play wiped out with a penalty and he also had a reverse for 14 yards. He helped out in the running game also with some blocks on the outside. He did finish the game without an injury.

The Chargers defense looked to shutdown the running attack of the Chiefs. The Chiefs were only able to rush for 48 yards in the game and they finished the game with only 67 yards total. Brodie Croyle was not able to establish anything in the passing game and was chased around by the Chargers defense. Larry English led the pass rush with 1.5 sacks, and the team finished with 4 total sacks on Croyle. The Chargers defense kept the Chiefs off of the scoreboard.

The Chargers now have a record of 7-6 and are 1 game behind the 8-5 Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers hold the tie breaker against the Chiefs and will need to win out the rest of their games to give themselves the best chance at the playoffs. They will need a little bit of help to close out the season as they will need the Chiefs to find a loss down the stretch. The Chiefs final 3 games will be against the Rams, Titans, and the Raiders. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave the Chargers a good boost before the game by defeating the Oakland Raiders. Here are the division standings at the end of the day:Kansas City Chiefs: 8-5San Diego Chargers: 7-6Oakland Raiders: 6-7

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