After playing about a half worth of watchable football against the Jets, the 4-2 Chargers go on the road to take on a Chiefs team that has recovered nicely from their early season swoon to even their record at 3­-3 after throttling the Raiders in their own home.  This is a big matchup on the Monday Night stage, as not only is this a big time AFC West rivalry game, but if the Chiefs manage to win this one they’ll control their own destiny in a division no one would have picked them to win after the way they were blown out in their first two games of the season.  In fact, it wasn’t long enough that people were talking about them as the front runner in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.  The Chargers are an unimpressive 4-2, as they’ve often looked listless on offense and have just barely won games that most people thought they’d win by a landslide.

The crux of the issue for the Chargers appears to improbably be Philip Rivers.  Rivers was picked as an almost shoe-in as a top 5 quarterback in fantasy football this year; but in reality he has been closer to being in the top 5 of fantasy disappointments than any other top 5 list.  Rivers’ sudden inaccuracy and unwillingness to throw many deep balls has many a fantasy pundit wondering if he’s hiding some sort of injury.  From the looks of his play, an injury at least would make sense rather than he suddenly regressed to the point of being more akin to Rex Grossman than the elite quarterback we’ve all come to know in fantasy circles.  Not helping the issue has been the absence of Antonio Gates, who finally got back into a game last week after resting his ailing foot.  Vincent Jackson has also been nursing a couple of nagging leg injuries, which sapped Rivers of his most reliable deep threat.

The one thing that has worked really well for the Chargers on offense has been their running attack.  Until last week, Ryan Mathews has played like gangbusters, rolling up 700 yards and 3 TDs on his way to being a top 10 running back.  Unfortunately, Mathews suffered an injury against the Jets, which might end up slowing him down against the Chiefs.

Speaking of running, the Chiefs finally got their first rushing TDs of the season last week; of course they were by fullback La’Ron McCain and DB Javier Arenas, who no one played, but at least it was progress.  Jackie Battle continues to prove that he is the best rushing option for the Chiefs, while Todd Haley continues to enjoy the blazing 1 and 2 yard rushes by the ancient mummy formerly known as Thomas Jones.  At 33 years of age, Jones is the running back equivalent of an AARP member, and should be a primary part of a bridge game or knitting club, not an NFL backfield.  Luckily for Matt Cassel and the Chiefs, Dwayne Bowe continues to work properly, and has turned into a without-question every week play.  There is always a chance Bowe will suddenly re-develop the skillets for hands that he has been periodically known for in his career, but his potential points explosion is well worth those momentary lapses.

Good Start:  QB Philip Rivers, RB Ryan Mathews, WR Vincent Jackson, TE Antonio Gates, RB Jackie Battle, WR Dwayne Bowe
Middle of the Road:  RB Mike Tolbert, QB Matt Cassel, RB Dexter McCluster, WR Steve Breaston
Bad Start:  WR Malcom Floyd, TE Randy McMichael, RB Thomas Jones

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