Five Keys to Victory: Chiefs vs. Chargers

Nov 1, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) runs after making a catch while San Diego Chargers strong safety Atari Bigby (center) tackles him during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Just one week after suffering a devastating loss to the Denver Broncos in the Mile High City, the Kansas City Chiefs are back at home, ready to face another division rival in the San Diego Chargers. The NFL really stands for “Not For Long” as in you can’t dwell on any one game for long, or you’re going to spiral out of control. The Chiefs have firmly placed the loss to the Broncos behind them and are ready to move on.

So what must the Chiefs do this week to beat the Chargers? Here are this week’s “Five Keys to Victory.”

Key #1: Hold on to the Passing Momentum

Last week we saw more passing beyond five yards from the Chiefs in one game than we saw all season. While quarterback Alex Smith did have a little trouble hitting some of his receivers and when he did hit them those receivers had a little trouble hanging onto the ball, that doesn’t negate the fact that head coach Andy Reid is opening the last few pages of the play book. Smith and company will need to take some shots and keep this “spotty” Chargers defense on its heels.

Key #2: Use What Got You Here

Despite the writings of some crackpot journalists out of Denver, it’s no accident that the Chiefs are 9-1 at this point in the season. They got here by playing stout defense and relying on Jamaal Charles to carry the lion’s share of offense. They seem to have gotten away from that in recent weeks and frankly, they need to return to their roots. Setting up Charles to run and then using that show “play action” are sure fire ways to get this defense to over commit. It’s what got the Chiefs to this point and it’s what they should go back to.

Key #3: Put Rivers on His Back

Nothing flashy. Nothing crazy. The Chiefs need to rush — and get to — the Chargers quarterback today. Rivers is one of the best signal callers in the league — statistically speaking — and will find the weaknesses in the Chiefs secondary if he’s allowed to hang out in the pocket all day. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton had better call up some of his genius from the first part of the season to defeat the blocking schemes and get H2Poe (Houston, Hali and Poe) to the quarterback.

Key #4: Control the Chargers Runners

This is a new concept for Chargers running back Ryan Matthews. I don’t think the kid has every played this late into the season because he’s usually out with an injury by week three or four. That being said, he’s having a pretty good year and shouldn’t be overlooked. If you add in Danny Woodhead, who can move all over the field, the Chiefs could have their hands full with the Chargers rushing attack. Without their run stopping anchor, Mike Devito who’s out with a knee sprain, the defensive line will really need to bone up and work to stop the run. Tyson Jackson, we’re looking at you.

Key #5: Arrowhead Magic

One of the most magical games I’ve ever seen was against the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football Halloween night in 2011. It was the infamous “Monday Night Miracle” where Rivers fumbled a snap and the Chargers lost the game the game when they certainly had a victory sewn up. Though the teams  now have different personnel and head coaches, Arrowhead Stadium remains the same. It’s a magical place that doesn’t really like division rivals upstaging its team. I expect a little of that magic this afternoon.

That’s it, Addicts. Those are my five keys to the Chiefs getting victory number 10 this afternoon. Did I miss anything? Sound of and let me know. As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!