Week 1 Preview
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
The citizens of Kansas City are enthusiastic about hosting a season-opening Monday Night Football showdown between the visiting rival San Diego Chargers and their Chiefs.
This first week is crucial for the young Chiefs. A win here would give the team some confidence and energy that could allow them to have a successful year; a bad loss may deflate the team before it has a chance to get going and may lead to the type of season we saw last year from KC.
The Chargers, on the other hand, are notorious for their slow starts. Vincent Jackson will play after signing a contract just before training camp was over, but he will likely be less than sharp. If the Chargers deliver a focused and motivate performance, this is a game they will likely win.
One of the keys for San Diego will be stopping the Chiefs' rushing attack. It is no secret that KC will want to run the ball early and often, protecting Matt Cassel against a good defensive line and an inconsistent, undertalented wide receiver corps. If the Chargers can slow down the tandem of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, it will be tough for the Chiefs to win.
In his first career start, Kansas City safety Eric Berry will be asked to lock up the league's best tight end, Antonio Gates. Philip Rivers will likely look to take advantage of this matchup all night long.
The crowd will be electric, the young Chiefs will be pumped, but ultimately the Chargers are still the team to beat in the AFC West and should expect to win this game.