Chargers, with trouble at every turn, await Chiefs

By foxsports
Published

The Chargers play at the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC West game Sunday and that's troublesome on various fronts.

San Diego (3-9) is in last place, and among its struggles are their troubles on the road and in the division. The Chargers have lost four of five road games and haven't won in the AFC West, home or away, since defeating the Raiders more than a year ago.

This season, the Chargers dropped all three AFC West games and that includes a 33-3 shellacking by the visiting Chiefs (7-5) two weeks ago.

Not only are the Chargers dreadful in the division, they aren't competitive. San Diego hasn't scored a touchdown in 11 of the 12 quarters against the Raiders, Broncos and Chiefs, being outscored 87-35.

"When Philip (Rivers) told me that I couldn't believe it," left tackle King Dunlap said.

Dunlap will play on Sunday after missing last week's loss to the Broncos with an ankle injury. He'll be matched against linebacker Tamba Hali (6.5 sacks) as the Chargers try to stop the Chiefs rush.

"That's nothing new in our division as all four teams have good pass-rushers," Dunlap said. "We know what lies ahead of us."

The Chiefs sacked Rivers three times on Nov. 22, with Hali getting him twice. In last year's season-finale defeat in Kansas City, the Chiefs got to Rivers seven times.

"It's a challenge," coach Mike McCoy said about slowing Kansas City's front seven.

But one which gets a boost with Dunlap's return. There's also a chance right guard D. J. Fluker (concussion) is cleared for contact, after being limited in Friday's practice.

"We'll see in the next day or two," McCoy said about Fluker.

At least Dunlap is a go.

"I'm so ready to go out there and hit somebody," he said. "I just want to get back out on the field with the fellas. It's hard to just stand on the sidelines."

That's where Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston will be stationed. Houston, who has a team-high 7.5 sacks, is out with a knee injury.

Some key Chargers were also declared out: cornerback Brandon Flowers (knee), defensive end Corey Liuget (foot) and wide receivers Stevie Johnson (groin) and Dontrelle Inman (neck).

Defensive tackle Sean Lissemore (shoulder) is listed as doubtful.