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SAN DIEGO
KANSAS CITY |
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42.5
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Final
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| 319 | SAN DIEGO | 43 | 41.5 | | 320 | KANSAS CITY | -3 | -2.5 |
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| All Games | 9-6 | +4.8 | 7-8 | 7-8 | 22.7 | 10.6 | 340.5 | (5.6) | 1.3 | 21.9 | 11.6 | 344.1 | (5.7) | 1.2 | | Road Games | 4-3 | +2.6 | 4-3 | 4-3 | 23.3 | 7.7 | 345.6 | (5.6) | 1.7 | 28.0 | 14.4 | 393.4 | (6.2) | 0.9 | | Last 3 Games | 1-2 | -0.9 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 20.7 | 8.0 | 316.7 | (5) | 2.0 | 26.7 | 16.7 | 393.7 | (6) | 1.7 | | Grass Games | 7-5 | +2.3 | 4-8 | 6-6 | 22.3 | 11.1 | 336.7 | (5.5) | 1.4 | 22.3 | 12.4 | 343.0 | (5.7) | 1.3 | | Division Games | 2-3 | -1.5 | 0-5 | 2-3 | 19.0 | 9.6 | 313.6 | (5.3) | 1.0 | 22.8 | 10.0 | 351.2 | (5.9) | 0.4 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 22.7 | 10.6 | 20.3 | 30:57 | 25-84 | (3.4) | 24-36 | 66.7% | 257 | (7.1) | 61-340 | (5.6) | (15) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 21.9 | 11.2 | 19.4 | 30:14 | 26-104 | (4) | 22-35 | 62.7% | 229 | (6.5) | 61-333 | (5.4) | (15.2) | | Offense Road Games | 23.3 | 7.7 | 21.4 | 30:35 | 24-75 | (3.1) | 24-37 | 65.3% | 270 | (7.2) | 62-346 | (5.6) | (14.8) | | Defense (All Games) | 21.9 | 11.6 | 19.5 | 29:23 | 28-125 | (4.5) | 20-33 | 61.2% | 219 | (6.6) | 61-344 | (5.7) | (15.7) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.1 | 11 | 19.5 | 30:58 | 26-111 | (4.2) | 22-35 | 62.0% | 225 | (6.4) | 61-336 | (5.5) | (15.2) | | Defense Road Games | 28.0 | 14.4 | 22.4 | 30:07 | 29-152 | (5.2) | 21-34 | 62.5% | 242 | (7.1) | 64-393 | (6.2) | (14.1) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.3 | -0.1 | 14-6 | 46.6% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 1-33 | (22.6) | 1-13 | (9.5) | 7-60 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 14-5 | 39.3% | 1-0 | 44.3% | 2-54 | (24.2) | 20-2 | (9.4) | 7-55 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.7 | -0.9 | 13-6 | 47.8% | 1-1 | 57.1% | 1-39 | (27) | 1-8 | (8.3) | 7-59 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | | 13-6 | 44.6% | 1-0 | 20.0% | 4-96 | (22) | 2-20 | (9.6) | 8-68 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.4 | | 14-5 | 39.3% | 1-0 | 48.7% | 3-60 | (23.8) | 20-2 | (8.5) | 7-57 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | | 13-7 | 53.3% | 1-0 | 0.0% | 4-87 | (23.5) | 2-21 | (10.5) | 9-71 |
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| All Games | 8-7 | -0.1 | 9-6 | 5-10 | 22.3 | 10.1 | 323.7 | (5.6) | 1.1 | 18.3 | 10.3 | 328.5 | (5.4) | 0.7 | | Home Games | 5-2 | +2.8 | 5-2 | 3-4 | 25.7 | 11.7 | 313.6 | (5.9) | 1.4 | 17.0 | 9.0 | 328.4 | (5.1) | 0.9 | | Last 3 Games | 1-2 | -1.5 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 19.0 | 10.0 | 368.3 | (6.4) | 1.3 | 16.7 | 6.3 | 309.3 | (5) | 0.3 | | Grass Games | 7-6 | +0.2 | 8-5 | 5-8 | 23.3 | 10.4 | 322.1 | (5.6) | 1.1 | 18.8 | 10.6 | 322.8 | (5.3) | 0.6 | | Division Games | 2-3 | -2.6 | 3-2 | 2-3 | 21.4 | 8.0 | 319.4 | (5.4) | 0.8 | 22.0 | 14.4 | 319.0 | (5.2) | 0.8 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 22.3 | 10.1 | 19.6 | 30:05 | 26-120 | (4.6) | 20-31 | 65.2% | 204 | (6.6) | 57-324 | (5.6) | (14.5) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 22.5 | 11.4 | 19.6 | 30:59 | 26-105 | (4) | 22-35 | 62.7% | 230 | (6.6) | 61-335 | (5.5) | (14.9) | | Offense Home Games | 25.7 | 11.7 | 19.1 | 28:17 | 26-122 | (4.6) | 18-27 | 67.4% | 192 | (7.1) | 54-314 | (5.9) | (12.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 18.3 | 10.3 | 19.3 | 29:55 | 27-128 | (4.7) | 20-34 | 58.3% | 200 | (5.9) | 61-328 | (5.4) | (18) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.3 | 11.3 | 19.6 | 30:14 | 26-107 | (4.1) | 22-35 | 62.5% | 235 | (6.6) | 62-342 | (5.6) | (15.4) | | Defense Home Games | 17.0 | 9.0 | 19.3 | 31:43 | 29-137 | (4.7) | 21-35 | 58.9% | 192 | (5.5) | 64-328 | (5.1) | (19.3) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | -0.4 | 13-5 | 41.3% | 1-0 | 41.7% | 3-92 | (28.1) | 3-36 | (11.7) | 5-42 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 13-5 | 39.5% | 1-0 | 46.7% | 2-59 | (24) | 20-2 | (9.5) | 7-55 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.4 | -0.6 | 11-4 | 36.4% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 3-94 | (31.3) | 3-40 | (12.6) | 5-37 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | | 14-5 | 37.6% | 1-0 | 38.9% | 3-81 | (24.3) | 2-12 | (7) | 6-52 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.5 | | 14-5 | 39.8% | 1-0 | 49.4% | 2-54 | (22.7) | 18-2 | (8.2) | 7-60 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | | 14-5 | 35.4% | 2-1 | 33.3% | 3-69 | (21.9) | 2-16 | (8.4) | 7-58 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: SAN DIEGO 21.9, KANSAS CITY 21.5 |
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| 11/2/2014 | @ MIAMI | 0-37 | L | 3 | L | 45 | U | 19-50 | 13-26-128 | 4 | 35-132 | 26-39-309 | 0 | | 11/16/2014 | OAKLAND | 13-6 | W | -10 | L | 45.5 | U | 32-120 | 22-34-180 | 0 | 19-71 | 16-34-162 | 1 | | 11/23/2014 | ST LOUIS | 27-24 | W | -5 | L | 43.5 | O | 22-128 | 29-35-282 | 3 | 24-107 | 19-36-210 | 3 | | 11/30/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | 34-33 | W | 6.5 | W | 45.5 | O | 18-64 | 34-45-376 | 2 | 32-125 | 19-31-225 | 0 | | 12/7/2014 | NEW ENGLAND | 14-23 | L | 4 | L | 53.5 | U | 17-53 | 20-33-163 | 1 | 28-87 | 28-44-310 | 2 | | 12/14/2014 | DENVER | 10-22 | L | 4 | L | 49 | U | 20-56 | 24-41-232 | 2 | 39-111 | 14-22-226 | 0 | | 12/20/2014 | @ SAN FRANCISCO | 38-35 | W | 2 | W | 40.5 | O | 24-98 | 33-54-348 | 3 | 40-355 | 15-24-92 | 3 | | 12/28/2014 | @ KANSAS CITY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 11/2/2014 | NY JETS | 24-10 | W | -9 | W | 41.5 | U | 24-113 | 21-31-196 | 0 | 30-139 | 24-36-225 | 0 | | 11/9/2014 | @ BUFFALO | 17-13 | W | 2.5 | W | 42 | U | 24-127 | 17-29-151 | 1 | 22-111 | 29-48-253 | 3 | | 11/16/2014 | SEATTLE | 24-20 | W | 1 | W | 43 | O | 30-190 | 11-16-108 | 2 | 37-204 | 20-32-168 | 0 | | 11/20/2014 | @ OAKLAND | 20-24 | L | -7 | L | 41.5 | O | 24-96 | 20-36-217 | 0 | 30-179 | 18-35-172 | 1 | | 11/30/2014 | DENVER | 16-29 | L | 1 | L | 49 | U | 15-41 | 15-23-110 | 3 | 45-214 | 17-34-174 | 1 | | 12/7/2014 | @ ARIZONA | 14-17 | L | -3 | L | 41 | U | 17-126 | 26-39-264 | 2 | 33-141 | 15-30-225 | 0 | | 12/14/2014 | OAKLAND | 31-13 | W | -11 | W | 41.5 | O | 27-93 | 18-31-295 | 1 | 17-78 | 27-56-202 | 1 | | 12/21/2014 | @ PITTSBURGH | 12-20 | L | 2.5 | L | 49.5 | U | 14-39 | 32-46-288 | 1 | 26-68 | 18-25-214 | 0 | | 12/28/2014 | SAN DIEGO | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | SAN DIEGO: Veteran offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris kept San Diego's man-blocking scheme for the most part intact during his first season with the Chargers. They've also turned to a full committee approach. Ryan Mathews will once again lead the rotation as long as he stays healthy. Danny Woodhead will  most passing downs and, surprisingly considering his size, stays on the field in many red-zone situations. Donald Brown will have a significant role as well, spelling Mathews and Woodhead on all three downs. The trio will continue to rotate inside the 20 with Woodhead getting the most touches.
Philip Rivers found new life last year under offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. Whiz took the head job in Tennessee, but new OC Franck Reich ascends from quarterbacks coach and should keep the game plan intact. There are a lot more quick throws in this offense, keeping Rivers upright and also giving San Diego's playmakers a chance. Keenan Allen is the No. 1 target, often working the same side of the field as tight end Antonio Gates, the second receiver. Woodhead will continue to have a big role as an underneath target, stealing chances from slot receiver Eddie Royal. Allen emerged as a big threat when they threw deep in opponent territory last season, partially because teams still focus coverage on Gates. Woodhead remains a big receiving threat around the goal line, and second TE Ladarius Green appears ready for a bigger role. Malcom Floyd will be the deep threat if he can stay healthy. If not, Vincent Brown will assume that role.
John Pagano's 3-4 defense doesn't give up many points, but they finished 30th in takeaways last year and ranked 23rd in both total defense and sacks. With no significant free agent additions, rookie CB Jason Verrett is the only real upgrade here. | | KANSAS CITY: This offense is built around Jamaal Charles and the running game. Head coach Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck brought a hybrid blocking scheme that mixes zone and gap blocking up front. Charles does a lot of his damage on the perimeter, though they do work some inside zone plays. After a solid showing in relief of an injured Charles in last year's playoffs, second-year pro Knile Davis should be in for a slightly bigger role as K.C. looks to limit the number of hits Charles absorbs.
Alex Smith may be little more than a game manager, but he's a good one. Like the offense he ran in San Francisco, Smith is asked to work off the running game and utilize his mobility to move the ball via a short passing game. He does a lot of moving around and will take off running more than most quarterbacks. Charles is the primary receiver in the passing game, getting set up on a series of screen plays. When they throw in the red zone, they continue to use Charles most often, as he's the only K.C. player who was targeted more than six times inside the opponents' 10 last season. They'll use Dwayne Bowe on the perimeter when they need to move the chains, with Donnie Avery working a lot of deep crossing routes. They use two tight ends frequently, with Travis Kelce expected to be used as a receiver more often than Anthony Fasano was last season.
In his first year in Kansas City, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton took a unit tied for last in turnovers in 2012 (13 TO) up to second in 2013 (36 TO). OLBs Justin Houston and Tamba Hali caused plenty of takeaways with a combined 22 sacks and five forced fumbles. The Chiefs also have the NFL's best return game, scoring four return touchdowns in 2013. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (SAN DIEGO-KANSAS CITY) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(ADDS Mathews out and Allen doubtful)
*Chargers-Chiefs Preview* =========================
By JORDAN GARRETSON STATS Writer
The San Diego Chargers simplified their road to a playoff berth with an improbable comeback victory.
The Kansas City Chiefs' path to the postseason is much more complex - and unlikely.
San Diego looks to clinch its spot Sunday with a win, while Kansas City needs a victory and lots of help elsewhere.
The Chargers (9-6) are hoping their season ends in similar fashion to 2013 when they clinched a playoff spot with a 27-24 win over the Chiefs in Week 17. They're in position to do the same after overcoming a 21-point halftime deficit - matching the biggest comeback in team history - for a 38-35 overtime win against San Francisco on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Kansas City (8-7) needs a victory and two seemingly unlikely results - a Baltimore loss to Cleveland and a Houston loss against Jacksonville - to reach the postseason in two straight years for the first time since 1994-95.
Making matters even more difficult for the Chiefs is quarterback Alex Smith will not play because of a lacerated spleen. Team trainer Rick Burkholder said Friday that Smith was likely hurt on a hit during the third quarter of last Sunday's 20-12 loss to Pittsburgh, but the injury was not initially obvious.
Chase Daniel will start in his place.
Philip Rivers struggled in the first half Sunday, throwing for 83 yards with two interceptions as he played through injury. However, he was 24 of 40 for 273 yards in the second half and overtime with three TDs, though he did throw another interception.
His final scoring strike was an 11-yarder to Malcom Floyd that tied the game with 29 seconds left in regulation before Nick Novak hit a 40-yard field goal in overtime to help San Diego avoid a third straight loss and keep its playoff hopes alive.
"It says a lot about him," coach Mike McCoy said of Rivers. "A lot of other teams, not just the quarterback, would have folded the way they played the first half. Philip's one of the fiercest competitors and toughest competitors I've ever been around."
Rivers, who owns an 81.4 passer rating over his last seven games after recording a 109.9 mark in his first eight, is reportedly dealing with a bugling disk in his back. He sat out two practices last week and could see a similar maintenance plan, though his playing status has not been in doubt.
"We'll do what's in the best interest of Philip Rivers and our organization," McCoy said. "Philip's as tough as there is in the business. Philip will Sunday."
He has posted a 112.1 rating over his last five matchups with Kansas City, throwing for 12 TDs against four interceptions.
San Diego will likely be without two key offensive pieces Sunday with running back Ryan Mathews ruled out and wide receiver Keenan Allen listed as doubtful.
Mathews will miss his third straight game with what's believed to be a high ankle sprain, while Allen has a broken right collarbone.
The Chargers had won 11 of 13 in the series and four straight prior to a 23-20 home loss to Kansas City on Oct. 19, giving the Chiefs a chance for their first season series sweep since 2003.
Kansas City has dropped four of five, however, defeating only Oakland (3-12) in that span. Last week's loss put their playoff chances on life support.
"We're not even looking at it like that," said wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who suffered a shoulder injury but is likely to play. "We're just trying to get better at what we do, and if the chips fall like they may that's great."
The Chiefs have operated inefficiently down the stretch. After ranking near the top of the NFL with a 48.0 third-down percentage after 10 games, they've converted only 25.0 percent in the last five. They've also committed seven turnovers in the last four games after having 10 through their first 11.
"We just have to play as a team. Sometimes we find a way to play as a unit, sometimes we don't," said linebacker Tamba Hali, who leads the team with three forced fumbles. "Most of these games we lose, it's not because the other team is whipping us. We shoot ourselves in the foot sometimes and we don't know how to bounce back from it."
Kansas City's running attack ranks 10th in the league at 120.5 yards per game but has struggled during the 1-4 stretch, averaging 79.0 yards with only two TDs. Jamaal Charles has run for 52 yards or fewer in three of his last four games.
They'll likely lean heavily on the run considering Daniel has one career start in six NFL seasons.
Things could open up versus San Diego, which gave up 355 rushing yards Sunday - the most ever by a losing team. The Chargers allow 125.0 per game, which ranks 26th, and Charles has averaged 5.6 yards per carry with six TDs over his last seven meetings.
Rivers will have to be wary of Justin Houston, whose 18 sacks are two shy of the Chiefs record set by Derrick Thomas in 1990.
Antonio Gates is one TD catch shy of becoming the ninth overall and second tight end with 100 in a career. His 15 versus Kansas City are his most versus one opponent.
San Diego has won five of seven in Kansas City.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/16/2024 2:15:48 AM EST. |
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