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Published on 09/14/2010 at Tue Sep 14 00:00.
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San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Wallace Gilberry (92), linebacker Tamba Hali (91) and defensive end Glenn Dorsey (72) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Wallace Gilberry (92), linebacker Tamba Hali (91) and defensive end Glenn Dorsey (72) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

As Week One in the NFL came to a close, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs — owners of a combined 10-38 record over the past three seasons — who stood alone atop the AFC West.

They arrived there in dramatic fashion.

Four stops inside the six-yard line with less than a minute to play sealed the Chiefs’ 21-14 win over the San Diego Chargers Monday night, highlighted by Jamaal Charles‘ 56-yard touchdown run and Dexter McCluster‘s franchise record 94-yard punt return.

As Philip Rivers drove his Chargers to what looked to be the game-tying touchdown, one got the sense that this was the same old Chiefs team collapsing in the last minute.  But Kansas City held its ground, turning the early tide in this 2010 division race.

What We Learned

  • The Chiefs’ return game is for real — Rookies Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas were electric in return duties, with McCluster executing the coup de gras with a 94-yard punt return in the first half.  The Broncos’ struggles in coverage against Jacksonville Sunday were easily one of the largest contributing factors to their 24-17 loss; they need to shore that up if they hope to compete against Kansas City’s special special teams.
  • Matt Cassel is not — If the Chiefs have one Achilles Heel, it’s their quarterback, and they seem to know it.  Cassel went 10 of 22 for 68 yards, and he had very little to do with any of Kansas City’s three touchdowns.
  • The Chargers stink in September — again — Let’s not write off San Diego just yet.  They’re inexplicably built to struggle in September, excel through December, then collapse in January. And it wasn’t 12 months ago that Eddie Royal was returning two touchdowns against the Chargers on a Monday night; maybe the Chiefs aren’t all that special, and the Chargers have yet to “flip the switch.”

The Chiefs surprised the Chargers and the NFL world Monday, and the Broncos can’t afford to write them off.  If we assume the Chargers will turn up the heat at some point this season, it’s imperative Denver doesn’t let the division get away from them. They need to start their winning ways in Week Two against Seattle, lest they find themselves on the outside looking in on a two-team AFC West race.

  • Ic_bronco7

    so Far from what i saw and from what my pridiction of the broncos this year looks even more realistic..i said broncos would end up 8-8 and would end up last in AFC west and that would be a good season..broncos are not going any were until they get rid of the clown of Mcdaniels..i still dont get how he got the job in the first place when there is more qualify coaches out there yes he has 2 rings with new england but it wasnt because of him.. im a bronco fan with lots of knowledge of football and any dumb ass could see broncos are not going anywere this year or hte next if mcdaniels stays as a head coach..so im going for redskins this year since shannahan knows what he is doing and is going to take redskins to playoff on his first year as head coach…maybe the clown will learn something

  • mikebirty

    Bench Rivers for Volek!!!! Write the season off.

  • troyn

    Lots of knowledge about football

  • troyn

    Little knowledge of grammar, or loyalty to your “team” for that matter.

  • Katch22

    Do everybody a favor and stay a Redskin fan Mr. mountain of knowledge…

  • anthony33

    I saw the highlights of the Seattle/49er's and Houston/Indy game. Last night I saw part of the Ravnens and most of the Chiefs game.

    The one thing I saw from the winner of those games was a positive energy and intensity that you could see and feel. With the exception of the Ravens, all the rest were home teams which I am sure you can attribute a lot of that to as the fans were LOUD.

    I look at the Bronx and I see a team is trying to play tough and physical, but they don't play with much emotion or intensity and they certainly don't look like they are having much fun. They look like they are afraid to make a mistake. McD should have patted Buckhalter on the head, tell him to make it up on the next series and shake it off, but instead we don't see Buck for the rest of the game.

    First home game this week and we sucked at home last year. McD… it's time to capture the ' Mile High Magic' again and blow somebody out at home. How about this week.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    Volektricity!

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    Volektricity!

  • areferee

    That's nawlege…

  • DRAGONSr4ME

    SHUT UP U MEANY HEADS

  • Vince_marine

    AMEN!!

  • VINCE_MARINE

    AMEN X2!

  • Ic_bronco7

    I have to write in stupid so u guys that like the clown…could understand me

  • areferee

    …and you do it with such ease…