Chiefs vs. Chargers: Full San Diego Game Preview

After a much-needed bye week, the San Diego Chargers (2-7) return to face a division rival in Week 11, with the Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) coming to town.

The game had originally been scheduled for prime time but was flexed out in favor of the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Arizona Cardinals. It has been a disappointing season for both teams, with each sitting under .500, but even more so for the Chargers, who are stuck on a five-game losing streak after dropping a 22-19 decision to the Chicago Bears in Week 9.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs endured a five-game skid of their own earlier this season but have since rebounded with three straight wins, which included knocking off the Denver Broncos 29-13 last Sunday. 

And now for this week's full game preview

Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

Time: 1:05 p.m. PT (4:05 p.m. ET)

TV: CBS

Week 9 Results and Recap (Week 10 Bye)

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

AFC West Standings

1. Denver Broncos (7-2)
2. Oakland Raiders (4-5)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5)
4. San Diego Chargers (2-7)

Last time out, the Chargers found themselves in a back-and-forth battle with the Bears that went down to the wire, with Chicago scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the final 3:19. Jay Cutler zipped a 25-yard pass to Zach Miller, who made a one-handed circus catch in the end zone.

San Diego had hoped to get Josh Lambo in range for the game-tying field goal, but Chicago's defense came up huge with two timely sacks on Philip Rivers and prevented the Chargers from crossing midfield. And just like that, San Diego fell to 2-7 on the year despite leading for most of the game.

Things seemed to be running smoothly after San Diego's opening drive went for a touchdown, and Jason Verrett added to the lead with a pick-six on defense that put the Chargers ahead 13-0 (PAT missed) in the second quarter. However, Chicago's next two scores would go for touchdowns, while San Diego settled for field goals, resulting in a 19-14 edge for the home team with just less than eight minutes to play.

The Bears manufactured their second scoring drive of at least 80 yards, and rookie Jeremy Langford ran in the two-point conversion with ease.

News and Notes

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Chargers to Honor LaDainian Tomlinson at Halftime

Tomlinson, one of the greatest ever to suit up for the Bolts, will be inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame and have his No. 21 retired at halftime of Sunday's game. He's only the fourth player ever to have his number retired, joining Lance Alworth, Dan Fouts and the late Junior Seau. Tomlinson retired from the NFL in 2012 as the league's fifth all-time leading rusher (13,648) and will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Malcom Floyd Not Done Yet but Still Plans to Retire After 2015 Season

Floyd, who suffered a torn labrum on Nov. 9 against the Bears, is rehabbing toward a return sometime this season but still plans to retire once the season is over, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Floyd, 34, is in his 10th season with the Chargers and ranks eighth all-time in team receiving yards with 5,398.

Chargers Sign Ex-Chiefs TE Sean McGrath

McGrath retired from the NFL in 2014 but is set on making a comeback after signing with the Chargers during the bye week. He appeared in 16 games with Kansas City in 2013 and will provide depth at tight end, with Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green battling injuries.

Latest Injury News

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The full injury report can be found at Chargers.com, but here are a few that stand out ahead of Sunday's game.

WR Malcom Floyd (shoulder): As previously mentioned, Floyd intends to rehab and get back on the field for the Chargers at some point, but consider him a long shot to play this weekend. He and tight end Ladarius Green were the only players who did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

ILB Manti Te'o (foot): Albeit limited, Te'o returned to practice after missing four straight games with an injured foot. He seems on track to play this week, but if not, Kavell Conner would make his third straight start at inside linebacker.

OG Orlando Franklin (knee): After missing just one game in four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Franklin has proved less durable with the Chargers, missing a total of five games, including the last two. There's a possibility he could be back in the lineup Sunday after being limited in Wednesday's practice, but only time will tell.

DE Corey Liuget (foot): Injured on Nov. 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, Liuget was allowed some time heal to over the last two weeks after missing the game Monday night against Chicago. He's proved to be the Chargers' best player on the defensive line this season with 18 tackles and two sacks, and San Diego missed his presence up front against the Bears' rushing attack in Week 9.

TE Antonio Gates (knee): Gates continues to play through the pain of a sprained MCL suffered last month against the Green Bay Packers. And with Green still not practicing, he's had to carry a full workload. According to Pro Football Focus, Gates played 65 of a possible 72 snaps against the Bears.

CB Jason Verrett (groin): Verrett was a full participant in Wednesday's practice despite leaving the Bears game early due to injury. He shined last time out, returning an interception for a touchdown and giving Alshon Jeffery fits in the passing game.

Key Matchups

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Joe Barksdale vs. Justin Houston

The last time San Diego played Kansas City, Houston ended up with the Chiefs' single-season sacks record (22) after bringing down Philip Rivers four times in the regular-season finale. So surely the Chargers know full well what Houston is capable of off the edge. He'll match up against Barksdale who, despite allowing two costly sacks at the end of the Bears game, has been San Diego's most reliable pass-blocker. 

San Diego Run Defense vs. Charcandrick West

With Jamaal Charles out for the season due to injury, the Chiefs have made West their primary back and given him plenty of run over the last few weeks. In three straight games, he's seen 20 or more carries and has rushed for a touchdown. And while it may sound like a broken record at this point, the Chargers have struggled against the run, giving up almost five yards per carry.

Matchup X-Factor

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Chargers' X-Factor of the Week: Melvin Gordon

Gordon's rookie season has lacked the explosive runs he was famous for at Wisconsin, but as he explained to reporters, they can't all be big ones:

"

It’s unfortunate I get some nice runs and they get taken back. But no one really sees that.  People just look at the stats and say, ‘You need to score. You’re a bust.’ But I have a lot of time left. I know what I can do. Every time I touch the ball, my mindset is four or five. I feel like I get that, and I know that I get that watching it on film. I’m just missing the big ones. They’ll come.  It’s not like I haven’t had some big runs, but I’m just going to get four or five like I’ve been taught. It’s going to break eventually.

"

The Chiefs are one of the better teams against the run, allowing just 97.1 yards per game, but consider it a hunch that Gordon comes out with a chip on his shoulder and starts the second half of the season with a noteworthy performance.

Prediction

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

According to Odds Sharks, the Chargers are three-point underdogs against the Chiefs despite playing at home. Kansas City's dominant win at Denver and its three-game winning streak are strong enough endorsements for picking the Chiefs, but a well-rested Chargers team with players returning from injury won't be so easy to dismiss.

Still, it's tough to pick against the Chiefs with the way they're playing as of late, and it's worth mentioning they swept the Chargers last season.

Prediction: Chiefs 26, Chargers 23