SDNN expert picks: Chargers-Chiefs

Like LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson has fallen from the ranks of the NFL's elite running backs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Complete SDNN Chargers coverage

Vic Salazar, SDNN sports columnist
Chiefs 23, Chargers 20

Kansas City is 14-5 at home vs. San Diego since 1990. Add this game to the Chief’s win column as there fails to be a good reason to pick the Chargers to win a game right now. They aren’t good. Now hurry up and scroll down to read the intern’s pick and you’ll understand why he’s an intern. I bet he picks the Chargers.

William Yelles, SDNN managing editor, sports contributor
Chargers 33, Chiefs 23

The Chargers — despite their woes — are once again superior to the Chiefs. At least on paper. But the team seldom plays well at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are terrible against the run, but the Bolts’ O line has struggled as well, making it difficult for Tomlinson or Sproles to get going — but they could find success as receivers when Rivers airs it out early.

Jason Owens, SDNN sports editor
Chargers 31, Chiefs 24

Whatever you do, don’t bet the under. Both teams have their struggles on offense, but the defenses are woeful. Granted, the Chargers aren’t good — but they’re not Kansas City bad. Rivers rips the Chiefs secondary to the tune of a 31-24 Chargers win.

Craig Elsten, 619 Sports
Chiefs 27, Chargers 23

KC at home is always always always a trap game, no matter how bad the Chiefs may appear to be. And they do appear to be bad, at least on defense. But is San Diego any better? The Chargers actually allow more points per game on average (27.2) than the Chiefs (24.0). I’d like to see the Chargers’ offense hang 38 on KC, but with the direction this team is headed right now, I predict two touchdowns, three field goals, and a quiet flight home at 2-4.

Eric Yates, SDNN deputy managing editor, sports contributor
Chiefs 23, Chargers, 21

An insufferably rude Broncos fan (Hell, is there any other kind?) blasted me in the comments section for not formulating a quick and coherent thought. How’s this? Kansas City 23, San Diego 21. Yeah, the Bolts are that bad.

Len Simon, SDNN sports columnist
Chargers 27, Chiefs 24

The Chargers are playing like a mediocre football team. The Chiefs are a less-than mediocre football team. But the Chiefs are at home, and won a game, so they are feeling better about themselves. The Chargers are neither at home nor feeling good about themselves. Greater talent squeezes through — but just barely.

Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton, SDNN sports columnist
Chargers 31, Chiefs 10

The Bolts take anger and frustration out on Chiefs. Rivers hits big passes. The Chargers nail Matt Cassel behind a bad offensive line. The Chiefs will play hard but don’t have enough players on either side of the ball. For this weekend, San Diego feels good about itself.

Jeff Creps, SDNN Intern, sports contributor
Chargers 27, Chiefs 13

Although the Chargers’ season is not over, if they lose to the Chiefs, there won’t be many believers left. The games are always tough to win in Arrowhead, but losing here would mean the end for the Bolts in 2009. The Chiefs have one of the worst defenses in the league and the Chargers must be able to exploit this. On offense Kansas City has been unable to run the ball into the end zone at all this season, even once, so as long as the Charger secondary can contain Dwayne Bowe there should be no problems. Without the talented Tony Gonzalez, who burned the Chargers for three touchdowns last year, I do not see this game being too close.

Tags: arrowhead stadium, Chargers, Chiefs, defense, LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, SDNN, Tony Gonzalez

This entry was posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 am and is filed under Chargers, Local News, Sports, Sports Opinion . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.