If the San Diego Chargers could play Kansas City 16 times a season, they probably wouldn’t mind it. After thrashing the Chiefs 37-7 earlier this season at Arrowhead Stadium, San Diego (8-3) did it again last weekend at home, rolling to a 43-14 victory over the hapless Chiefs. The win kept San Diego a game ahead of Denver in the AFC West, while the Chiefs fell to 3-8. Helped by four Kansas City turnovers, the Chargers took an early lead and never looked back, rolling to a 28-7 halftime lead. Kansas City QB Matt Cassel lost a pair of balls, including one fumble that safety Paul Oliver scooped up and raced 40 yards for the score. “It bounced right to me,” Oliver said. “It was about as easy of a play as you can make.” As Oliver noted, the defense pretty much had its way with Cassel and the Chiefs for most of the afternoon. “We put the offense in good field position and really helped them out every way we could. It was a close game for the first half, but then the turnovers took over and we capitalized on all of them,” Oliver added. Meantime, running back LaDainian Tomlinson (12,257 career yards rushing) moved further up on the all-time rushing list and rushing TDs list, scoring a pair of touchdowns. Tomlinson is now the 10th leading rusher in NFL history, passing Marcus Allen (12,243) and Edgerrin James (12,246) along the way. Finally, as the franchise’s greatest quarterbacks were honored before the game as part of the team’s 50 greatest players/coaches (Dan Fouts, John Hadl and Stan Humphries), current star Philip Rivers passed to tight end Antonio Gates for a pair of scores. On defense, Brandon Siler and Larry English recovered fumbles, while cornerback Quentin Jammer forced a fumble and recorded an interception on the day. San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding even got in on the action, booting a 55-yard field goal in the third quarter, second-longest in team history to his 57-yarder in 2008. One of the few highlights on the day for the Chiefs was the play of former Chargers receiver Chris Chambers, who caught seven balls for 70 yards and a TD. San Diego hits the road for the next two weeks, beginning with a trip to Cleveland this Sunday afternoon. FIFTH QUARTER: Before the game, the team honored its 50 greatest players/coaches. Among those in attendance were Don Coryell, John Jefferson, Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow, Gill Byrd, Fred Dean and many others. San Diego’s next home game is Dec. 20 versus Cincinnati, which currently holds down first place in the AFC North. While out in Pacific Beach for breakfast last Sunday, I spotted a man wearing a Ryan Leaf No. 16 jersey. He either is very courageous or didn’t get the memo about what Chargers faithful think of their former QB.
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