In Brief
Shawne Merriman is still trying to get his first sack of the season.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
Last meeting:
The Chargers kept their division title hopes alive with a dramatic 22-21 win over the Chiefs in Week 15 of 2008.
Streaks:
San Diego has won four of the past five meetings, but still trails the overall series, 50-47-1, including the playoffs.
Last week:
A poor second-half performance cost the Chargers in a 34-23 loss to the Broncos. ... The Chiefs got their first win of the year as they went to Washington and beat the 'Skins, 14-6.
Keep your eye on ...
The Chargers' resolve: In each of the past two seasons, San Diego has started 2-3, only to rebound with a resounding win. The Chargers better do so again this year or they may fall so far behind the Broncos in the AFC West that another division title might be out of reach by the season's midpoint.
Shawne Merriman's disappearing act: From 2005-07, Merriman was one of the league's best pass rushers. He tallied 39.5 sacks over those three seasons and was one of the game's most feared defenders. A knee injury cost him virtually all 2008, however, and he has been held without a sack through five games this year. If there was ever a chance for Merriman to post a crooked number in the sack column it would be this week against a Chiefs team that has given up an AFC-high 22 sacks.
Kansas City's growing confidence: Over the last three weeks, the Chiefs have shown signs of improvement. They hung tough with a depleted Giants team in the second half, nearly beat the Cowboys before succumbing in overtime and finally got their first win last Sunday in Washington. A victory over rival San Diego would give Chiefs players even more belief in the new Scott Pioli/Todd Haley regime moving forward.
Did you know?
San Diego swept Kansas City last season, winning each game by a single point. ... Antonio Gates has scored more touchdowns against the Chiefs (nine) than any other team in the NFL. ... Kansas City is 14-5 against San Diego at home since 1990. ... Chiefs QB Matt Cassel has thrown 132 consecutive passes without an interception.
