The San Diego Chargers were the much superior football team than the Kansas City Chiefs and they proved it Sunday.  Philip Rivers and the offense were able to build a big lead in the first half and were up 28-7 at the break.  Rivers had a very good day, passing for 317 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21/28 attempts.  Rivers did not get too much help from the running game, although they did rack up 94 rushing yards as a team.  It was only a 2.8 average though, so Rivers and his receivers did most of the damage.  The Chiefs never really had a shot in this game though, so it wasn’t a cause for concern.

The Chargers defense did their job and kept the Chiefs out of the game.  They gave up one touchdown in each half, but the big number was the 4 turnovers they forced.  They picked off quarterback Matt Cassel once and recovered 3 fumbles.  Cassel was only able to get 178 yards and 1 touchdown on 19/31 attempts through the air.  They gave up too much on the ground though, with the Chiefs getting 114 yards on 24 carries as a team.  A very solid game overall for the Chargers defense, and if they they can force some turnovers like this more often they will really be a force to be reckoned with.

The San Diego Chargers (7-3) are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs (3-7) Sunday, a team they beat 37-7 earlier in the season.  The Chargers offense should be able to get pretty much whatever they want in this one.  I would like to see the Chargers go to their running game a lot, as it has been getting better lately and they could use this game to continue to improve it.  LaDainian Tomlinson has been looking more and more like his old self lately and a big game for him could help boost his confidence more.  Philip Rivers can still do his thing in the passing game, as the Chiefs give up 251 passing yards per game.  They can’t play down to their opponent though, or it could come back to hurt them.

The Chargers defense was able to pick Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel three times in their last match-up, so it seems like they have Cassel figured out.  Cassel is a capable quarterback though and I am sure he will come in with some major adjustments.  Still, the Chiefs don’t have a very strong running game and I expect the Chargers to build an early lead anyway, so Cassel will be forced to air it out a lot.  That means more opportunities for turnovers, which gives Philip Rivers more opportunities.  I don’t think this will be close and the Chargers win easy.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  San Diego Chargers 31, Kansas City Chiefs 13

The Chargers have signed 35-year old OT Jon Runyan to a 1-year deal.  Runyan played in 16 games (all starts) for the Eagles last season.  He has now played in 202 games (192 starts) in his 13-year NFL career.  Runyan brings size (6′7″,330 pounds) and nastiness to the Chargers’ offensive line as this was a great signing for them.

The Chargers have placed starting RT Jeromey Clary on the Injured Reserve List with a ankle injury ending his season.  Clary played in 10 games (all starts) for the Chargers this season and he will be missed.  He has now played in 42 games (32 starts) in his 4 years in his career with the Chargers.  Here’s to hoping he has a full recovery because he’s an important part of the Chargers’ future.

24-year old fullback doesn’t play that much but when he does he makes his presence felt.  He looks like a bowling ball type of running back as he’s on the short side at 5′9″, but he is also a powerful 243 pounds.  He has played in all 10 games for the Chargers this season and he has carried the ball 10 times for 69 yards (6.9 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Tolbert has also caught 6 passes for 68 yards (11.3 avg) with a TD grab.  Tolbert is a good special teams player too as he has 13 tackles and a forced fumble so far this year.  Every team would love to have a player like Mike Tolbert and the Chargers are lucky to have him.