Running Games in Spotlight for Chiefs, Chargers
The Kansas City Chiefs want to run. The San Diego Chargers scoff at anyone with such plans.
That could make for an interesting game, with first place in the AFC West on the line today.
Both teams are 4-2 and come into the rematch wounded and with questions at quarterback. The Chargers will be without running back Natrone Means, out two to four weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. Strong safety Rodney Harrison is doubtful with a shoulder injury and cornerback Charles Dimry is questionable with a knee injury.
Chiefs back Rashaan Shehee is likely out with a hip injury and return specialist Tamarick Vanover is questionable with a calf injury.
The Chiefs were running the ball even in long-yardage situations in last week’s 35-8 victory at Baltimore.
Bam Morris will start after a 70-yard game against Baltimore. Rookie Mike Cloud could play, although roster considerations may force the Chiefs to keep him inactive and go with Donnell Bennett and Tony Richardson behind Morris.
The Chiefs will try to run against a defense giving up 76.5 yards per game, fourth in the NFL, and 2.9 yards per carry, second in the league. The Chargers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 25 games, the longest streak in the NFL.
“If we’re going to do something this year, it starts with us,” said Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. “We’ll allow you three yards, two yards, three yards, but it’s still fourth down. We have guys who know their roles and stick to their roles. The guys up front scratch and claw for inches and allow the backers to run and scoot.”
San Diego will also try to run on a Chiefs defense that has been the bedrock of the team all season. Kenny Bynum will start in place of Means.
“It’s not going to be a high-scoring game,” Chiefs guard Dave Szott said. “Fans who like high-scoring games may not like that. It’s strength against strength. It’s going to be old-fashioned smashmouth football.”
Another reason for that is the way the quarterbacks have struggled.
Erik Kramer will get the start for the Chargers, although coach Mike Riley said he will not wait as long as he did last week to yank him for Jim Harbaugh if Kramer is ineffective.
Kramer was relieved by Harbaugh in last week’s 31-3 loss to Green Bay after throwing three interceptions. Harbaugh also was intercepted three times.
“Right now, it’s a tough decision,” Riley said. “Kramer is going to start. He’s been doing the bulk of the work. I wanted to stay status quo. I think I waited too long last week. I felt like I wanted to try and continue to improve (this week) with Erik.”
On the Chiefs’ side, Elvis Grbac was intercepted four times Oct. 3 as the Chargers rallied to a 21-14 win after falling behind 14-0 in San Diego.
“Their first 13 plays, they scored two touchdowns, so he was riding high,” San Diego safety Michael Dumas said. “Once our defense got rolling, the reads had to be a little bit quicker and we started blitzing him. Once we were able to play on an even playing field, we were able to do a lot more things. Stopping the run to force the pass was one. We’d like to put the onus on him trying to win this game.”
Grbac continues to get heavy criticism from fans, but coach Gunther Cunningham delivered yet another impassioned defense of his quarterback on Wednesday. Cunningham, who favors the run anyway, has put together a controlled offense that is designed to keep Grbac from making mistakes.