Prospect of a Home Run Drives Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs hope their next road game is in San Diego.

The Chiefs shoved aside the San Diego Chargers, 29-7, on Sunday for their fifth consecutive victory and are on the verge of winning the AFC West title and claiming home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

A Denver loss at San Francisco tonight or a Kansas City victory at home against New Orleans in the season finale will assure the Chiefs (12-3) the comfort of Arrowhead Stadium throughout the AFC playoffs. The Chiefs are 7-0 at home this season.

If Kansas City stays unbeaten there, its next road game would be in San Diego for the Super Bowl on Jan. 25.

“It will make all the difference in the world playing at Arrowhead,” said defensive end Dan Williams, who had two sacks against the Chargers. “There’s no way teams want to come into Arrowhead and play us in January. It’s unbelievable.”

The Chiefs had home-field advantage two years ago, then lost to Indianapolis in a divisional game.

“It’s a great feeling to be in this position,” said Chief defensive tackle Joe Phillips, a former Charger. “Now we have the benefits of our experiences of a couple of years ago. We can build on that. We’re a very different team than then. We’re a good team.”

That was evident Sunday against the Chargers (4-11), who lost their seventh consecutive game.

Marcus Allen ran for one touchdown, Rich Gannon threw for one, Derrick Thomas recorded a safety when he overwhelmed quarterback Todd Philcox in the end zone, and Mark McMillian returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown.