Hodges: Chiefs vs Chargers
CHIEFS WILL LOOK TO UPSET CHARGERS ON ESPN’S MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, by Wayne Hodges
KANSAS CITY, Mo – Ok, time to separate the boys from the men. That’s right baby. Monday Night Football will grace America’s Heartland on September 13th. That’s when our upstart Kansas City Chiefs play host to bitter division rival San Diego on ESPN’s popular prime-time television show. Brad Nessler will provide play-by-play. Trent Dilfer will chip in with color. And Suzy Kolber will disseminate those wonderful sideline reports.
Now the games count. Preseason is over. No more dress rehearsals. No more vanilla offenses. And no more lame excuses. It’s either “put up” or “shut up.” 8:15 p.m. is the time. The new Arrowhead Stadium is the place. “Are you ready for some football?” Coming up is my pre-game analysis, which includes a position-by-position breakdown and forecast. Read on…
QUARTERBACK MATCH-UP
Matt Cassel (Chiefs) vs. Phillip Rivers (Chargers): The lightning bolts have a huge advantage in this department. Cassel struggled with accuracy most of the preseason and had major difficulty locating his reads. Conversely, Rivers is your prototypical, strong armed quarterback blessed with an assortment of lethal weapons at his disposal. The Chargers were the NFL’s 5th best passing team a year ago (271.1 yards per game). The Chiefs were a lowly 25th. San Diego is also rock solid in pass protection. Cassel doesn’t enjoy that luxury. And he may be forced to run for his life. Edge: Chargers
RUNNINGBACK MATCH-UP
Jamaal Charles (Chiefs) vs. Darren Sproles (Chargers): Charles was arguably the NFL’s best halfback the final 8 games of last season. However, he has shown the tendency to fumble and injuries are always a concern. Thomas Jones is a powerful runner between the tackles and should serve as an excellent complement to Charles. Sproles, a former Kansas State Wildcat, is lightning quick out the Chargers’ backfield and a dangerous kick returner on special teams. With future Hall-of-Famer LaDainian Tomlinson now sporting New York Jets green, I’m giving the slight advantage to the home team. Edge: Chiefs
WIDE RECEIVER MATCH-UP
Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs) vs. Malcolm Floyd (Chargers): Bowe has physical talent. No doubt about it. But character, effort and reliability remain serious question marks. Rookie Dexter McCluster should provide KC with a nice check down option. But how will he respond in his first NFL game? With Vincent Jackson out on suspension, Floyd will be expected to fill the void. Tight end Antonio Gates remains somewhat dangerous across the middle; even though he has clearly lost a step or two. Edge: Chargers
DEFENSIVE FRONT
The Chiefs have over $100 million tied up in the development of LSU disappointments Glen Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. Neither has done diddly squat since arriving in Kansas City as high draft picks. In limited action, linebacker Derrick Johnson has demonstrated big play ability for head coach Todd Haley and the Chiefs. But Johnson remains a liability in the running game.
The Chargers, on the other hand, are nasty up front with hard-hitting linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips plugging the gaps. Defensive end Luis Castillo is no slouch either. On the flip side, the Chiefs were 30th in the NFL last season in total defense; giving up a mind-boggling 388.2 yards per game. KC was also 31st in run defense. With the same personnel wearing red and gold, I don’t expect much to change. Even with Romeo Crennel directing the defense. Edge: Chargers
SECONDARY & DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
The secondary is easily the Chiefs’ greatest defensive strength. Cornerback Brandon Flowers appears primed for a Pro-Bowl caliber season. Rookie safety Eric Berry is being thrown into the mix early and will be asked to contribute right away. The Chiefs, in my humble opinion, made a big mistake trading away free safety Jarrad Page. Call it Deja Vu. Remember, last season, KC dumped safety Bernard Pollard and he went on to kick ass with the Houston Texans.
That said, the Chiefs still have plenty of talent in the secondary. But the Chargers aren’t too shabby either. Defensive back Quentin Jammer is a Pro-Bowl talent and lock-down defender. And Antoine Cason, from the University of Arizona, is certainly on the rise. Safety Darrell Stuckey, a rookie from Kansas University, should provide decent play and nice depth off the bench. Although relatively close, I’ll give the slight nod to KC. I’m a big fan of Flowers. Edge: Chiefs
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie Javier Arenas has been absolutely sensational for KC. He’s made long kickoff returns the norm. We haven’t seen a Chiefs returner this exciting since Dante Hall. Place kicker Ryan Succop had a shaky preseason highlighted by a few missed field goals. Let’s pray he converts when the games really count. McCluster gives the Chiefs another viable weapon as both a punt and kick returner. Conversely, Sproles handles most of the return duties for the Chargers. And he’s as good as it gets. Kicker Nate Kaeding is usually accurate on field goals and has excellent range. Edge: Chargers
COACHING
Haley is a golfer learning to coach football. Norv Turner is seasoned but considered a goof ball. Edge: Push
PREDICTION
Given the national television platform and grand opening of the new Arrowhead Stadium, this is simply a “must win” for the Chiefs. Ticket sales have dwindled in recent years as fan interest has reached a screeching halt. Years of senseless butt-kickings tend to wear on season ticket holders. That said, a victory over a juggernaut like San Diego would ignite unbridled excitement inside what has become an apathetic fan base. A win would also instill an element of confidence within the players, administration and coaching staff that’s been missing in recent seasons. The Chiefs need swagger. KC is desperate. And the hungry bird always gets the worm. Forecast: Chiefs 24, Chargers 21
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also a candidate for Kansas Senate District #7, an adjunct professor, and MPA at the University of Kansas. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
September 8th, 2010 at 6:09 am
hodge you my boy and all but aint no way we beating the Chargers. I dont see how we will get any points. I aint sold on cassel. dude is OVER-RATED! And the Chiefs defense isnt that good. I hope Im wrong. I just think the chargers are 2 strong for KC. lets see what happens on monday
September 8th, 2010 at 7:49 am
San Diego is not the team they used ta be– they lost LT
if the Chiefs cut down on turnovers and keep the ball out cassels hands they can win
September 8th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
i gotta feelin the chiefs are gonna pull it off.
give j. charles 15 carries
and give t. jones 20 carries
and we win simple az that.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
GO CHIEFS!!!!
September 9th, 2010 at 9:57 am
f the chiefs