Scouting report: Kansas City Chiefs

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:26 PM PDT ∞

Kansas City Chiefs

Kickoff: 1:15 p.m., Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium

Series: These two original AFL rivals square off for the 94th time in the regular season, with the Chiefs holding a 48-44-1 edge. The Chargers have won three straight in San Diego and four of the last six overall.

Player to watch: RB Larry Johnson

He's a top-notch running back with the ability to lead his team to victory on nearly every Sunday --- but he's struggling. The Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson? Yeah, him too, but the Chiefs have their version of that scenario in Johnson. Much to the chagrin of Chiefs fans and those drafting him high in their fantasy league drafts, Johnson, the NFL's No. 2 rusher behind Tomlinson last year, has been a bust. He had 24 carries in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Vikings, but was held to 42 yards. It marked only the third time in his career he rushed at least 20 times and didn't' reach the century mark. Overall, Johnson has rushed for 140 yards on 50 attempts (2.8-yard average) with no touchdowns.

Offense

It's critical for the Chiefs that Johnson gets untracked to take pressure off a passing game led by Damon Huard. With Trent Green let go in the offseason, Huard beat out Brodie Croyle for the starting job. But Huard has struggled, and coach Herman Edwards admitted Monday he came close to replacing Huard with Croyle in the second half Sunday before Huard (61-of-90 for 549 yards, two TDs, three INTs this season) improved his play. TE Tony Gonzalez remains a favorite target of any Chiefs quarterback as he leads the team in receptions (16) and receiving yards (167). But like Johnson, he has yet to find the end zone. Rookie WR Dwayne Bowe scored his first NFL touchdown last week and is the team's biggest threat on the outside.

Defense

The Chiefs employ a 4-3 scheme with a familiar face at linebacker in Donnie Edwards. In each of his five seasons with the Chargers before being allow to flee last offseason, Edwards led the team in tackles. He remains one of the best linebackers in pass coverage, which could cause problems for a passing attack that leans toward the underneath routes. Edwards has 21 tackles, two off the team high of LB Derrick Johnson; Edwards has added an interception. Johnson also has two sacks, tying him for the team lead with DEs Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. The secondary is led by two veteran corners in Patrick Surtain and Ty Law.

Noteworthy

Herman Edwards played at San Diego State, as did his son, Marcus. The younger Edwards is the Chiefs' pro personnel assistant. ... Two other former Aztecs are T Kyle Turley and WR Jeff Webb. ... Bowe and Chargers WR Craig Davis were teammates at LSU. ... T Damion McIntosh played for the Chargers from 2000-02. ... Oceanside native William Buchanon is a wide receiver on the Chiefs' practice squad; his dad, Willie, is a former Charger. ... Chargers RB/KR Darren Sproles played at Kansas State. ... The Chargers are seeking their 10th straight home win, which would tie the franchise record compiled by the 1978-79 squads. ... Tomlinson has recorded four of his 39, 100-yard rushing games against the Chiefs. In the Chiefs' San Diego visit last year, Tomlinson went for a season-best 199 rushing yards and two TDs, including a career-long 85-yard gallop. ... Sunday marks the first of three consecutive games with AFC West foes for the Chargers, with contests at Denver and at home against the Raiders to follow.