Chargers vs. Chiefs: Full San Diego Game Preview

The San Diego Chargers look to avoid being swept by the Kansas City Chiefs for the second year in a row when they visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. The Chargers and Chiefs last met in Week 11, with San Diego getting embarrassed 33-3 at home.

The Chargers didn't fare much better against the Denver Broncos last Sunday, as they were held without a touchdown for the second time in three games in a 17-3 loss. Philip Rivers was dragged down for four sacks and threw his fifth pick-six of the season.

The Chiefs extended their winning streak to six games with a 34-20 decision over the Oakland Raiders in Week 13. Alex Smith threw two touchdowns and ran for another, while Derek Carr was intercepted three times and sacked four times by the Kansas City defense.

San Diego is playing for pride at this point, but the Chargers could potentially spoil the Chiefs' postseason plans with a win on Sunday. Here's this week's preview.

Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Time: 10 a.m. PST

TV: CBS

Week 13 Results and Recap

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AFC West Standings

1. Denver Broncos (10-2)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)

3. Oakland Raiders (5-7)

4. San Diego Chargers (3-9)

The Broncos leaned on their defense to beat San Diego, shutting down Rivers for the most part with only 202 yards passing. And with Rivers held in check, the Chargers had nowhere else to go on offense.

Meanwhile, Brock Osweiler won his third consecutive start for Denver and had the game's only offensive touchdown on a three-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas in the first quarter. Linebacker Danny Trevathan followed that up with a 25-yard pick-six, and Brandon McManus tacked on a 23-yard field goal to conclude the scoring for the Broncos.

News and Notes

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WR Vincent Brown returned to the Chargers on Tuesday

Vincent Brown Back With Chargers

Brown, the former third-round pick of the Chargers in 2011, was signed on Tuesday to add depth to a banged-up receiving corps. He was waived with a nagging calf injury before the start of the 2014 season and joined the rival Oakland Raiders, appearing in seven games.

Said head coach Mike McCoy to reporters, per Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, "It’s great to have him back with us. After watching him work out yesterday, having been here before and knowing what he can do to help us win this weekend, it’s a big reason why we brought him back in."

No doubt Brown will be a welcome sight for Rivers, who has been throwing to receivers not well known to him, excluding Malcom Floyd.

Dontrelle Inman Day-to-Day with Neck Strain

Inman was back at Chargers Park on Monday, per Eric Williams of ESPN.com, after leaving on a stretcher in the first quarter of last Sunday's game. McCoy told reporters all the tests came back negative and that Inman is day-to-day with a neck strain. The addition of Brown was brought on by Inman's injury, but there's still a possibility Inman could play again this season.

Mike McCoy Could Survive Potential Move to L.A.

McCoy's hot seat grows hotter with each loss his team suffers, but the Chargers may be inclined to keep him if relocation to Los Angeles were to occur next season, per B/R's Jason Cole. The transition period for a potential move would be chaotic at first, and having to find a new head coach would only add to the burden, therefore it makes sense to retain McCoy.

Latest Injury News

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Chargers CB Brandon Flowers is carted off against Denver

All injury information courtesy of Chargers.com. Here are some of the key ones:

DT Sean Lissemore (Shoulder) - DNP Wednesday

This is Lissemore's second straight week on the injury report, only last time he suffered a concussion. The shoulder injury, however, kept him out of last Sunday's game, allowing more playing time at defensive tackle for second-year pro Ryan Carrethers.

DE Corey Liuget (Foot) - DNP Wednesday

Liuget has played through the pain for weeks now and missed practice time along the way, so we'll assume Wednesday's absence is no big deal.

CB Brandon Flowers (Knee) - DNP Wednesday

The knee injury Flowers suffered in the first quarter of last Sunday's game looked bad at first because he needed to be carted off, and a history of knee problems isn't something to risk with the 29-year-old. If Flowers ends up sitting out on Sunday, it'll mean more of Patrick Robinson and Steve Williams at corner. 

WR Stevie Johnson (Groin) - DNP Wednesday

Johnson exited Sunday's game early with a groin injury, which may have a lasting effect. The last time he dealt with a groin injury, it kept him out of two games.

OT King Dunlap (Ankle) - LP Wednesday

The left tackle was inactive last Sunday, leaving Chris Hairston to block Von Miller, which didn't go so well. But after practicing some on Wednesday, he may be ready to return against the Chiefs.

QB Philip Rivers (Foot) - LP Wednesday

It's rare for Rivers to be anything other than a full participant in practice, but he can afford a limited practice session with this season pretty much down the drain.

DNP=Did not participate

LP=Limited participation

Key Matchups

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Chiefs RB Spencer Ware had 96 yards rushing and 2 TDs versus San Diego in Week 11

Chargers Offensive Line vs. Chiefs Pass Rush

San Diego's offensive line may catch a break on Sunday, as both Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are dealing with knee injuries. However, the Chiefs were still able to generate a pass rush even without Houston in the lineup against Oakland, getting to Carr for four sacks, with two from Frank Zombo and one apiece from Derrick Johnson and Daniel Sorensen.

Pass-rushers have gradually been hitting Rivers more and more the last few games, and he's risking injury with each big hit he takes. The Chargers need to do a better job keeping Rivers out of harm's way.

Chargers Defense vs. Chiefs RBs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware

The Chiefs had 153 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the last meeting against San Diego, and Ware paced the effort on the ground with 96 yards rushing and two scores. Smith was also active in the running game with 33 yards on seven carries.

Meanwhile, the Chargers are still struggling to contain the run, allowing the seventh-most rush yards per game at 124.6 yards. If San Diego can't stop the run on Sunday, it can expect the same result from Week 11.

Matchup X-Factor

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Chargers' X-Factor of the Week: Jeremiah Attaochu

According to Pro Football Focus, Attaochu led San Diego with five quarterback hurries against Kansas City, though he wasn't able to collect a sack on the slippery Smith. Having seen Smith's mobility and tendencies up close only a few weeks ago, Attaochu should be better prepared to get after Kansas City's quarterback and not let him escape.

Smith doesn't set the world on fire with his passing numbers, but he's quite effective when given time. He connected on several passing plays of 20 yards or more against the Chargers, and there were a couple of occasions when he was able to run for the first down.

Prediction

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The Chargers are 11.5-point underdogs, per Odds Shark, against a Kansas City team poised for a postseason run. And with San Diego failing to score touchdowns in two of the last three games against AFC West rivals, the Chiefs defense should dominate once again.

Likewise, Smith and the offense should be able to have their way with the Chargers, who allow 370.6 yards per game and the fourth-most points at 27.0 per game. 

Predicted Score: Chiefs 26, Chargers 13