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by Luke Shanno

Kansas City, MO – The Chargers made big plays in all three phases of the game on a soggy afternoon at Arrowhead as they registered a 37-7 victory vs. Kansas City. QB Philip Rivers threw three TDs, while San Diego’s defense picked off three passes and the Chargers special teams scored on a blocked punt which was recovered for a TD as San Diego registered its highest point total in Kansas City since ‘86.

San Diego held a staggering 200-yard advantage in total yards (403 to 203), outgaining the Chiefs through the air by a 268-to-82-yard margin as Rivers completed 18 of 30 passes with three TDs and compiled a 122.6 rating.

The Chiefs opened the game with a strong defensive statement as they held the San Diego offense to a three and out as CB Brandon Flowers stuffed RB LaDainian Tomlinson for a two-yard loss on the opening series. Kansas City had to punt the ball back on its opening drive.

After the punt, Tomlinson busted through a seam in the middle of the Chiefs defense for 36 yards to the Kansas City 44-yard line. After the Chargers were able to march the ball to the Chiefs three-yard line, Rivers hit WR Malcom Floyd at the goal-line to cap an 10-play, 80-yard drive.

San Diego got the ball back in Chiefs territory when Kansas City turned the ball over on downs. Faced with fourth and one from their own 41-yard line, the Chiefs went for it, but Cassel’s QB sneak came up short. San Diego wasted little time getting back on the scoreboard as Rivers hit WR Vincent Jackson for 12 yards to get to the KC 13-yard line. Two plays later, Rivers hit Jackson again for a 10-yard TD to take a 14-0 lead.

The Chiefs punted on their next possession and San Diego registered a big offensive play when Rivers hit Jackson for a 51-yard completion. A 25-yard connection to TE Antonio Gates moved the ball to the Kansas City two-yard line. The Kansas City defense then produced a valiant goal-line stand. LB Corey Mays met RB LaDainian Tomlinson mid-air, stuffing him at the one-yard line. Then, DT Ron Edwards stopped Tomlinson for a one-yard loss. Rivers’ third-down pass to WR Chris Chambers was bobbled and knocked incomplete by CB Brandon Carr on third down on a play that was upheld by instant replay. San Diego settled for a 20-yard K Nate Kaeding FG to go up 17-0 with 9:49 left in the first half.

After another Kansas City punt, Rivers hit Jackson again for a 51-yard gain, moving the ball to the Kansas City 29-yard line. But San Diego picked up just four yards on its next three plays, setting up a 43-yard Kaeding FG attempt. The kick sailed wide right, giving the Chiefs the ball at their own 33-yard line.

RB Larry Johnson opened the Kansas City drive with a four-yard rush, with Cassel picking up six yards and the first down on a scramble out of the pocket. Cassel then hit WR Bobby Wade for nine yards. RB Jamaal Charles rushed for 15 yards, pushing the ball to the San Diego 33-yard line. Kansas City’s first real threat to the end zone came on a deep pass from Cassel to WR Lance Long, who was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Saturday. Instant replay upheld that the ball hit the ground in the end zone. K Ryan Succop’s subsequent 43-yard FG attempt was wide right, leaving the Chiefs scoreless. San Diego took over with 1:07 left in the half and Rivers promptly orchestrated another scoring drive. A 39-yard Kaeding FG gave San Diego a 20-0 halftime advantage.

The Kansas City offense moved the ball efficiently in the no huddle to open the second half. Cassel hit WR Bobby Wade for 24 yards to move the ball to the San Diego 34-yard line. A scramble by Cassel and a defensive pass interference call gave the Chiefs a first down at the San Diego 16-yard line. Faced with fourth and one from the San Diego seven-yard line, Cassel fired the ball across the field to the left side of the end zone where a leaping WR Dwayne Bowe snagged the ball to get Kansas City on the board as the Chiefs cut the margin to 20-7 with 9:54 left in the third quarter. It would be as close as Kansas City would get.

After both squads exchanged punts, Rivers hit RB Darren Sproles out of the backfield for a 58-yard TD, extending the San Diego lead to 27-7 with 5:56 left in the third quarter. As the rains intensified at Arrowhead, turnovers began to mount for the Chiefs. Cassel’s pass was bobbled by TE Sean Ryan and was promptly picked off LB Tim Dobbins, snapping a streak of 150 consecutive attempts without an INT.

San Diego went three and out on its next possession, but the Chargers picked off Cassel again. This time S Paul Oliver returned the ball to the Kansas City two-yard line. Again, the Chiefs defense rose to the occasion, buffeting the Chargers four straight times after a penalty nullified a would-be TD run by Tomlinson on first down. Kansas City took over on downs at its own one-yard line, but this time it was S Steve Gregory who victimized Cassel. San Diego drove the ball to the Kansas City one-yard line, but again couldn’t convert for a TD, this time settling for a 19-yard Kaeding FG to make the count 30-7 with 11:37 left to play.

To add insult to injury, San Diego’s special teams got into act as FB Jacob Hester came untouched off the right side of Kansas City’s protection, blocking a P Dustin Colquitt punt that he recovered in the end zone to seal a 37-7 victory.