Chargers at Chiefs: Preview and prediction

In one of Sunday’s NFL games, the Chargers will  face the Chiefs.

At 1:00 p.m. ET, two AFC West teams in the San Diego Chargers (3-9) and Kansas City Chiefs (7-5) will go head-to-head.

With the division about out of reach, the Chiefs are playing must-win football for a chance at an AFC wild card spot. They come into the game at the No. 5 seed, which doesn’t guarantee anything towards a playoff berth. Two other teams sit at 7-5 below them in the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Chargers cannot be taken lightly, who are among the league’s worst. A strong running game will be needed to avoid an upset, and running back Spencer Ware could lead the charge. The LSU alumnus came out of nowhere three weeks ago against the Chargers with a 96-yard rushing game. He followed it up with 114 yards one week later. After a rough game last week, Ware will need to pick things back up with Charcandrick West struggling at 3.9 yards per carry.

The Chiefs’ biggest asset has been their defense, though. Since Oct. 4, they have only allowed 20 points or more twice with a high of 21. They most notably only allowed three points to the Chargers when they faced off last month.

The 2015 season has been a lost one for San Diego. Their passing game hasn’t been bad, as Philip Rivers is set to cross 4,000 yards and 30 passing touchdowns before the season ends. However, the rushing game has been abysmal. Rookie running back Melvin Gordon has only compiled a 3.6 yards per carry mark through 155 rushing attempts with a long of 29 yards. In fact, no player on the team is averaging more than 3.6 yards per carry.

The defense has also been an issue. The Chargers have only forced seven interceptions this season and have allowed less than 20 points just once this season (last week in a 17-3 loss). While the Chiefs are not the NFL’s most potent offense, they may have a field day against this team.

Pick: Kansas City 34, San Diego 10