AFC West: Chargers-Chiefs 102509
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| John Rieger/US Presswire | |
| San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers led one of the best offensive performances of the season for the Chargers. |
KANSAS CITY -- Philip Rivers drove home from the San Diego Chargers’ practice facility Wednesday night, knowing everything was going to be OK.
Coming off a bitter home loss to the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos less than 48 hours earlier, the Chargers were crisp, deliberate and focused as they began their work week in preparation for Sunday’s game at Kansas City. The fresh, relaxed, productive approach lasted all week.
“That was so encouraging,” Rivers said Sunday. “We could have slumped around practice all week, feeling sorry for ourselves. But we went out and had our best week of practice. We knew it was time.”
The Chargers followed up their most productive week of preparation with their best overall game of the season. San Diego hammered Kansas City 37-7 in a driving rainstorm. The Chargers were dominant in all three phases of the game. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and were never challenged by the still green Chiefs, who were unable to parlay the good vibes of their first win last weekend at Washington.
While the Chiefs couldn’t put together a modest winning streak, San Diego was determined not to lose a third straight game.
San Diego has become famous for bouncing back, and Rivers is hoping Sunday’s win signifies the Chargers are starting their annual resurrection early. In 2007, San Diego started 5-5 before winning six straight and the AFC West title. Last season, the Chargers became the first team to make the playoffs after starting 4-8. It took a four-game winning streak and a historic collapse by Denver.
The Chargers are now 3-3, but still trail the Broncos, who were idle Sunday, by three games.
“We can’t chase anyone,” Rivers said. "We just have to take care of ourselves and hopefully look up in a month and we’ll be closer [to Denver]."
Rivers has no explanation but he does believe the Chargers tend to play their best when they have to.
“I think guys on both sides decide to take care of their individual jobs,” Rivers said. “There is no magic call or magic solution. So instead of waiting for it, guys just take control of their own situations. I think we play our best when we do that."
Rivers said he and several other leaders on the team, including tight end Antonio Gates and linebackers Stephen Cooper and Shaun Phillips, were in communication this week, making sure that players from both sides of the ball were in good spirits and ready to bounce back from the Denver game.
“There was no question about it, when the practice week started,” Rivers said. "Guys are relaxed. They just knew things weren’t that bad.”
A balanced offense is a winning formula: The Chargers had their most balanced offensive game of the season. The Chargers entered the game tied for last in the NFL in rushing. All of San Diego’s offensive production was coming from Rivers, who is having an outstanding season.
Rivers carried the load again Sunday. But at least he had help.
San Diego had 135 yards rushing. LaDainian Tomlinson had 71 yards on 23 carries, but one run was for 36 yards. So it would be premature to categorize Tomlinson as being at full strength considering he had 35 yards on 22 carries. But Tomlinson played well enough to allow backup Darren Sproles to be a factor as a change-of-pace back. Sproles had 41 yards on the ground and he broke a 58-yard touchdown on a short pass.
San Diego, which scored touchdowns on only two of five trips to the red zone, made huge plays in the passing game. Rivers completed 18 of 30 passes for 268 yards. He threw three touchdowns and he was not intercepted. Receiver Vincent Jackson had 142 yards on five catches. He had two 51-yard catches as he and Rivers continue to become one of the best deep-ball combinations in the NFL.
Chargers play safety blitz dance: The Chargers got creative in an attempt to create some pass rush.
The Chargers had their safeties blitz extensively and it was very effective. San Diego had four sacks. Safeties Eric Weddle and Steve Gregory (who was playing nickel cornerback) each had one sack. Phillips had two sacks.
“We came out with an aggressive approach,” Weddle said. “I think it caught them off guard and we were able to do some nice things. The key is staying aggressive. We’re better when we play that way.”
San Diego has been making changes in the secondary in recent weeks. Before the Denver game, starter Clinton Hart was cut out of the blue and rookie Kevin Ellison was made a starter. This week, Gregory took over for 2008 top pick Antoine Cason at nickel. The moves have worked.
Ellison, a sixth-round pick from USC, has played well in his two starts. Gregory had an interception to go with his sack.
Cassel gets sloppy: Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel had been very good in his past four games, but he struggled Sunday.
Cassel, who went 153 straight passes without throwing an interception, threw three interceptions in a span of eight plays. He completed 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards. The Chiefs used a hurry-up offense in the second half, but still couldn’t get much going.
Kansas City coach Todd Haley was not happy with any aspect of his team, especially on offense.
“Disappointed, mad,” Haley said, describing his thoughts. “I’m the head coach of the team. I’m running the offense and we've got to be better than that. We’ve got to be better protecting, we’ve got to be better run blocking, we’ve got to be better catching the ball, we can’t be tipping it to them and we’ve got to be better at quarterback.”
If there was a bright spot for the Chiefs, it was backup running back Jamaal Charles gaining 33 yards on four carries. Starter Larry Johnson had 49 yards on 16 carries. Watch for Charles to get more playing time if Johnson can’t get going.
Rapid Reaction: Chargers 37, Chiefs 7
October, 25, 2009
10/25/09
4:13
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
KANSAS CITY -- We were either going to see the San Diego Chargers show they are not dead or we were going to see the Chiefs start to build their program.
It’s very clear what we saw.
The Chargers are not going down without a fight. The Chiefs are not ready to get on a roll. Kansas City was pounded at home by the desperate Chargers after winning their first game of the season last week at Washington.
It was clear the Chargers were not interested in losing their third straight game. The Chargers jumped on the Chiefs early and played their best overall game of the season. San Diego was solid in every phase of the game.
The Chargers are now 3-3 as they head home to face the Raiders. Kansas City staggers to its bye at 1-6. This loss is reminder to Kansas City head coach Todd Haley that his team still has a long way to go in all areas.
KANSAS CITY -- We were either going to see the San Diego Chargers show they are not dead or we were going to see the Chiefs start to build their program.
It’s very clear what we saw.
The Chargers are not going down without a fight. The Chiefs are not ready to get on a roll. Kansas City was pounded at home by the desperate Chargers after winning their first game of the season last week at Washington.
It was clear the Chargers were not interested in losing their third straight game. The Chargers jumped on the Chiefs early and played their best overall game of the season. San Diego was solid in every phase of the game.
The Chargers are now 3-3 as they head home to face the Raiders. Kansas City staggers to its bye at 1-6. This loss is reminder to Kansas City head coach Todd Haley that his team still has a long way to go in all areas.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
KANSAS CITY -- San Diego fullback Jacob Hester is becoming a special teams star.
He just blocked a punt and then recovered it for a touchdown to give San Diego a 37-7 lead.
It was Hester’s second touchdown on special teams in three weeks. He returned a fumble 41 yards for a score at Pittsburgh. Hester is starting to show why San Diego traded up to get him in the 2008 draft.
KANSAS CITY -- San Diego fullback Jacob Hester is becoming a special teams star.
He just blocked a punt and then recovered it for a touchdown to give San Diego a 37-7 lead.
It was Hester’s second touchdown on special teams in three weeks. He returned a fumble 41 yards for a score at Pittsburgh. Hester is starting to show why San Diego traded up to get him in the 2008 draft.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
KANSAS CITY -- Tough way for Matt Cassel's streak to end.
In a rainstorm, San Diego linebacker Tim Dobbins intercepted a pass on a deflection. It ended Cassel’s streak of 153 passes without an interception.
It was a cheap way for Cassel’s streak to end.
However, Cassel got his money’s worth two passes later when San Diego defensive back Paul Oliver grabbed a badly overthrown pass by Cassel and returned it deep in Kansas City territory. Then, two passes later, San Diego safety Steve Gregory intercepted Cassel on a bad pass. It seems Dobbins' pick caused Cassel to lose his concentration.
Cassel has completed 9 of 22 passes for 90 yards through three quarters.
KANSAS CITY -- Tough way for Matt Cassel's streak to end.
In a rainstorm, San Diego linebacker Tim Dobbins intercepted a pass on a deflection. It ended Cassel’s streak of 153 passes without an interception.
It was a cheap way for Cassel’s streak to end.
However, Cassel got his money’s worth two passes later when San Diego defensive back Paul Oliver grabbed a badly overthrown pass by Cassel and returned it deep in Kansas City territory. Then, two passes later, San Diego safety Steve Gregory intercepted Cassel on a bad pass. It seems Dobbins' pick caused Cassel to lose his concentration.
Cassel has completed 9 of 22 passes for 90 yards through three quarters.
Rivers and Jackson are putting on a show
October, 25, 2009
10/25/09
2:17
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
KANSAS CITY -- Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has arguably the prettiest deep ball in the NFL.
He is showing it off Sunday. Rivers has hit receiver Vincent Jackson on two 51-yard passes. Rivers has thrown for 169 yards with the Chargers leading 17-0 late in the first half. Jackson has 124 of those yards on four catches, including a short touchdown pass.
The Chargers are clicking Sunday and the Rivers-Jackson connection is a big reason why.
KANSAS CITY -- Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has arguably the prettiest deep ball in the NFL.
He is showing it off Sunday. Rivers has hit receiver Vincent Jackson on two 51-yard passes. Rivers has thrown for 169 yards with the Chargers leading 17-0 late in the first half. Jackson has 124 of those yards on four catches, including a short touchdown pass.
The Chargers are clicking Sunday and the Rivers-Jackson connection is a big reason why.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
KANSAS CITY -- The Chargers are looking excellent so far.
After losing two straight games, the 2-3 Chargers are rolling in Kansas City. They have a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
San Diego looks particularly good on offense. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson may be on his way to his second straight productive game. He had 60 yards on nine carries, including a 36-yard run, in the first quarter. If Tomlinson can get back in gear, the Chargers should be fine.
San Diego has scored touchdowns on both trips to the red zone. That has been a season-long problem.
KANSAS CITY -- The Chargers are looking excellent so far.
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After losing two straight games, the 2-3 Chargers are rolling in Kansas City. They have a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
San Diego looks particularly good on offense. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson may be on his way to his second straight productive game. He had 60 yards on nine carries, including a 36-yard run, in the first quarter. If Tomlinson can get back in gear, the Chargers should be fine.
San Diego has scored touchdowns on both trips to the red zone. That has been a season-long problem.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
KANSAS CITY -- San Diego linebacker Kevin Burnett is inactive and will not play because of an ankle injury he suffered against Denver on Monday night.
San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie is active and will play. He suffered a knee injury in practice last week.
Kansas City left tackle Branden Albert is out for the second straight week with an ankle injury. He was a game-time decision.
Kansas City safety Jarrad Page was a healthy scratch. He was injured last week and the team is keeping his replacement, Jon McGraw, in the starting lineup.
There are chances for thunderstorms in Kansas City on Sunday, but there are currently clear skies.
KANSAS CITY -- San Diego linebacker Kevin Burnett is inactive and will not play because of an ankle injury he suffered against Denver on Monday night.
San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie is active and will play. He suffered a knee injury in practice last week.
Kansas City left tackle Branden Albert is out for the second straight week with an ankle injury. He was a game-time decision.
Kansas City safety Jarrad Page was a healthy scratch. He was injured last week and the team is keeping his replacement, Jon McGraw, in the starting lineup.
There are chances for thunderstorms in Kansas City on Sunday, but there are currently clear skies.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
