Los Angeles Chargers

Chiefs vs. Chargers: 3 keys to victory

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Kansas City Chiefs are a touchdown favorite over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, because they are the better team.

Kansas City should beat San Diego. Any kind of real logic leads you to that conclusion. Still, wins aren’t handed out because a team should beat another. Here are three chores the Chiefs might take care of for a victory. For the record, avoiding turnovers and penalties are a given.

1. Pressure Philip Rivers

This is going to be much harder than normal with Tamba Hali playing on a rotational basis and Justin Houston out. Last year, Dee Ford stepped up in the second matchup with three sacks. While I wouldn’t bet on that again, Ford needs to put pressure on Rivers and perhaps take him down once or twice.

In addition, the front line needs to make it happen. The quartet of Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey and Chris Jones needs to dominate a weak offensive line. Jones could really show why general manager John Dorsey made him his first draft pick.

2. Run the ball

It’s an age-old axiom in football. If you stop the run and run the ball well, you are going to win. The Chiefs have to get Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West rolling early and often. Ware was terrific against the Chargers last season, averaging more than six yards per carry.

Without Jamaal Charles in the lineup, the offensive line will need to create bigger holes than normal. If the Chiefs can hit the 150-yard mark, it should be a 1-0 start for the good guys.

3. Don’t give up the deep ball

Even without Houston, the Chiefs should have a very solid defense. Because of this, they need ot make Rivers go on 12 and 15-play drives to score. If Kansas City can take away the bomb, San Diego will be hard-pressed to put together huge marches.

The more plays the Chargers run, the more you can expose their flaws or get a penalty to stymie a drive. Play smart, keep everything in front of you and tackle.