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It’s a bit of a stinker on Thursday night this week as Kansas City, which has dropped four straight and is tied for the NFL’s worst record at 1-5, faces San Diego, which has lost three in a row.
Both Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel and San Diego’s Norv Turner are probably coaching for their jobs the rest of the season.
Despite coming off a bye week, San Diego could only manage six points in a 7-6 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. San Diego had a final chance, but quarterback Philip Rivers’ pass was batted away by Browns cornerback Buster Skrine with 1:24 left. Rivers finished 18 of 34 for 154 yards but had a potential touchdown pass dropped by Robert Meachem in the third quarter.
The Chargers also failed to score an offensive touchdown in Week 3 vs Falcons. The last time the Chargers failed to score an offensive touchdown in 2 or more games in a single season was in 2000, when they did not score an offensive touchdowns in 3 games.
Kansas City lost 26-16 at home to Oakland – the Chiefs still have yet to lead in regulation of a game this season. Matt Cassel threw for 218 yards in place of Brady Quinn, who left in the first half with what the team called a head injury. Quinn had started his second straight game even though Cassel was cleared to play following his own concussion sustained three weeks ago against Baltimore. Cassel will start this game because Quinn has not been cleared to practice due to a concussion. Ricky Stanzi will be the backup.
Kansas City is the first NFL team since at least 1940 to play seven games without taking an offensive snap with the lead. They’ve also turned the ball over a league-leading 25 times, including four turnovers Sunday.
The Chargers and Chiefs will meet for the 106th time since 1960. The series is dead even at 52-52-1, but the Chargers have won eight of the last 10 and four in a row at Qualcomm Stadium. Forty-six games in the series have been decided by seven points or less. Both games in ’11 were decided by three points, but San Diego won 37-20 at K.C. in Week 4. This will be the seventh nationally-televised night game between the Chargers and Chiefs. Kansas City has won four of the first six.
For the year, the Chargers rank 25th in total offense (3209 yards per game),21st in passing (217.4 ypg), 20th in rushing (103.4 ypg) and 18th in points (22.0). The Chiefs rank 12th in total offense (367.3 ypg), 22nd in passing (212.1 ypg), third in rushing (155.11 ypg) and 30th in points (17.1)
Defensively, the Bolts rank 10th in total defense (326.6 ypg), 21st in passing (246.6 ypg), second in rushing (80.0 ypg) and ninth in points allowed (20.6). Kansas City ranks 18th in total defense (348.7 ypg), 11th in passing (222.3 ypg), 23rd in rushing (126.4 ypg) and 29th in points allowed (29.9).
VEGASSPORTSBETTING ODDS: Chargers -9.5 (42.5)
CHIEFS: CASSEL had 102.1 rating in last game at SD…Club averages AFC-best 155.1 rush yards per game in ’12 … In past 5, RB Jamaal Charles is averaging 6.2 yards per carry vs. Chargers (56 att., 346 yards). Averages 103.7 scrim. yards per game in ’12 (595 rush; 131 rec.). Charles (4,799) needs 201 scrim. yards to reach 5,000 career…
WR Dwayne Bowe (393) needs 7 rec. to become 4th player in franchise annals to reach 400 career. Bowe (39) needs TD rec. to become 5th player in club history with 40 career. WR Jon Baldwin has 9 rec. for 132 yards with TD in 2 career games vs. SD. WR Dexter McCluster has 6 rec. in each of past 2 games … LB Tamba Hali has 9.5 career sacks vs. SD, most vs. any opponent … CB Brandon Flowers has 2 INTs in past 3 vs. SD.
CHARGERS: Seek 5th straight win vs. KC at home …Have won 2 of past 3 on TNF …As starter at home vs. KC, QB Philip Rivers has 5-1 record. Is 40-8 (.833) as starter when posting 100+ rating. In past 3 on Thursday Night Football, Rivers has 8 TDs vs. 1 INT & 105.9 rating … RB Ryan Mathews had 2 rush TDs in last meeting at home vs. KC. RB Ronnie Brown had season-best in rec. (7) & rec. yards (85) last week …
TE Antonio Gates (78) trails only HOFer Lance Alworth (81) for most rec. TDs in team history … LB Shaun Phillips (65) has 3rd-most sacks by Charger (Leslie O’Neal, 105.5; Lee Williams, 65.5) … DE Corey Liuget has 2 sacks in past 3 … Since ’11, S Eric Weddle leads NFL w/ 9 INTs … LB Donald Butler had 6 tackles, 0.5 sack & 21-yard INT-return TD in last game vs. KC.
VEGAS TRENDS: Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Chiefs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 vs. AFC. Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC West. Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
Chiefs are 1-5 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Chargers are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games following a S.U. loss. Chargers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 9. Chargers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Chargers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in November
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