Defense Gives the Chargers a Lift in 31-20 Win

Deductive reasoning isn’t a quality normally associated with linebackers. A lust for violence is the trait that sets the breed apart.

But, Sunday, the power to think logically was demonstrated by linebacker Linden King of the Chargers, whose defense played a decisive role in a 31-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

It was the first time the Chargers defeated an AFC West opponent since 1983, a span of 11 games.

In the second game under new defensive coordinator Dave Adolph, the San Diego defense took a step toward erasing another popular notion--that the Chargers are powerless when the other team has the ball.

After snuffing the Chiefs with a sack and a deflected pass early in the fourth quarter, the Charger defense received a standing ovation that had the San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium rocking.

Afterward, King stood at his locker reflecting on the resurgence of the Charger defense.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that when they release the head of the defense, the next ones to go are the players,” he said. Fresh in his memory was the sacking of Tom Bass as defensive coordinator two weeks ago.

The Chargers (3-3) were thought to be in desperate straits after a knee injury sidelined quarterback Dan Fouts two weeks ago. And the picture grew even more grim late this week when Wes Chandler, the most effective receiver, suffered a deep cut in an Achilles tendon.

Chandler was on crutches and Fouts’ stand-in, Mark Herrmann, looked as if he had circulatory problems, or some sort of impairment of his grip, when he fumbled twice in Kansas City territory in the first 20 minutes.

Herrmann, however, didn’t crumble.

“I was as down as anybody,” he said. “I had a rocky start last week, and another one today. But I knew I was a better player than I showed in the first quarter.”

Herrmann (26 for 36 for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns) received a vote of confidence from Charlie Joiner, San Diego’s top receiver with six catches for 118 yards.

“When Mark gets behind, he seems to perform better,” Joiner said.

Herrmann rallied the Chargers to two fourth-quarter touchdowns after the Chiefs took a 20-17 lead on a Nick Lowery field goal.

A 10-yard scoring pass to Eric Sievers and a one-yard run by Tim Spencer were sandwiched around that stadium-shaking ovation for the San Diego defense in the final period.

Chief Coach John Mackovic expressed equal parts annoyance with his team and admiration for the Chargers’ progress.

“Our protection wasn’t very good today,” he said. “It began to break down in the second half.

“The Chargers have played improved football this year and they attacked the ball today. The pass rush became one of their strong suits in the second half. Things just fell apart in the second half, not for any particular reason, but we just weren’t playing well.”

With Herrmann’s shaky beginning, the Chargers were fortunate to manage a 17-17 halftime tie.

After the Chiefs moved to a 3-0 lead on the opening series, the Chargers got a scoring chance by recovering a fumbled punt at the Kansas City 30. However, Herrmann promptly turned the ball back over to Kansas City defensive end Art Still on a fumble.

A second Herrmann fumble aborted another Charger threat after a short punt in the second quarter.

On the next series, the Chiefs claimed a 10-0 lead.

Herrmann brought San Diego’s offense to life, connecting with Joiner on a 39-yard touchdown pass, making it 10-7.