Could anyone have predicted the stunning development in San Diego on Sunday? Could anyone have truly believed that the fading Oakland Raiders could waltz into Qualcomm Stadium and not only beat the San Diego Chargers, but trounce them?
The Raiders� 28-13 upset, as every Chiefs fan knows by now, put the Chiefs in a great position to seal up the AFC West and a home playoff game. The upset gives the Chiefs much-needed margin for error: Even a loss to the Chargers this weekend in San Diego won't doom the Chiefs' playoff chances.
And, of course, a win by the Chiefs will eliminate the Chargers and all but seal the division title (those unpredictable Raiders still could be a factor).
Here�s the other wonderful aspect of the Raiders� upset: It provided a clear blueprint on how to bring down the mighty Chargers. First, you beat them at special teams and second, you run the ball down their throats.
The Raiders beat the Chargers twice this season with the same approach. The Raiders blocked two punts in the first meeting with San Diego, and forced a huge fumble on a punt early in Sunday's win. Also, on Sunday, the Raiders ran for over 250 yards.
Actually, the Chiefs used a similar game plan when they beat the Chargers at Arrowhead on opening night. The Chiefs rushed for a respectable 139 yards but they dominated the Chargers in the battle of special teams � the Chiefs amassed 219 yards in punt and kickoff returns, including a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown by Dexter McCluster.
Another special-teams performance like that this Sunday could all but give the Chiefs the division title.
And, by the way, for anyone out there who was unimpressed with the Chiefs� 10-6 victory over the Broncos on Sunday, keep this in mind: Weeks from now, Chiefs fans won�t even remember how ugly that win was. Also, do you think the Chargers would have been happier with an ugly 10-6 win over the Raiders or with the 28-13 loss?
The point being is that you never apologize for a win in the NFL.
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