The Chiefs have won 3 games in a row to stay atop the AFC West by 2 games over the Chargers & Raiders.  The Chiefs also beat the Chargers 21-14 in the season opener at Arrowhead Stadium.  The Chargers have won 4 of their last 5 games but they were thumped 28-13 at home by the Raiders last weekend.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  Even without Matt Cassel in this game the Chiefs have to feel good about their chances.  The Chiefs watched the Raiders dominate the Chargers last week by running the ball and that’s likely the Chiefs’ gameplan this weekend.  The Chiefs are averaging 175.2 yards rushing  per game and 4.9 yards per carry so Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones are likely going to get a ton of work tomorrow.  Dwayne Bowe isn’t going to get shut out like he did last week as he will likely be Brodie Croyle’s go to man in this game.

When the Chargers have the ball:  The Chargers are going to come out passing the ball, like they always do.  The Chiefs are going to try to rattle Philip Rivers like they did in the season opener by blitzing him a lot.  That’s a dangerous gameplan though as Rivers has had success throwing the ball this year no matter who has been catching passes from him.  With Antonio Gates & Malcolm Floyd back in action it makes Rivers even more dangerous.  The Chiefs also have to be ready for Mike Tolbert who is running the ball well so far this year.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 23, CHARGERS 21

The Chiefs have won two games in a row by a combined score of 73-37.  The Chiefs are 5-0 at Arrowhead Stadium this year and they will be out for revenge this Sunday.  The Broncos pounded the Chiefs 49-29 just three weeks ago so the loss is fresh in their heads.  Here is the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  I fully expect the Chiefs to come out running the ball with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones against a Broncos’ D that is giving up 141.6 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  Look for Matt Cassel to be putting the ball up to Dwayne Bowe a lot in this game as he caught 13 passes for 186 yards and had 2 TD grabs in the first meeting between these two teams.  Look for rookie TE Tony Moeaki to also get in on the action for the Chiefs in this game.

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are going to go with what works.  Kyle Orton is going to be putting the ball up a lot and he will be targeting Eddie Royal, Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney.  The Chiefs are allowing 246.5 yards passing per game so Orton’s likely to have some success unless the Chiefs get a good pass rush going.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 34, BRONCOS 26

The Chiefs are 1-4 on the road this season where they have been outscored 139-105.  The Seahawks are tough at home where they are 3-1.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs would be smart to change things up a little bit in this game.  The Seahawks know the Chiefs have a great running game so why not take advantage of that by throwing more often on first down.  Matt Cassel has played well lately and Dwayne Bowe has been unstoppable as of late.  The Seahawks are giving up 283.2 yards passing per game this season so the Chiefs will likely have success through the air.  Make no mistake though, the Chiefs are going to run the ball at the Seahawks D a lot in this game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.

When the Seahawks have the ball:  The Chiefs need to get after Matt Hasselbeck in this game.  That’s because the Seahawks are only averaging 83.7 yards rushing per game and 3.5 ypc so their RBs don’t scare anyone.  The Chiefs are allowing 244.3 yards passing per game this year so the Seahawks should have some success through the air.  If Hasselbeck has time to throw the ball the Chiefs are going to be in trouble as he likes to spread the ball around to a lot of receivers.

PREDICTION:  SEAHAWKS 23, CHIEFS 20

The Chiefs have lost two games in a row but they were on the road.  They are returning home to Arrowhead Stadium this weekend where they are 4-0 on the year, outscoring the competition 107-54!  The Cardinals have lost 4 games in a row and they are not a good road team.  The Cardinals are only 1-4 on the road this year where they have been outscored 144-68!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs want to get back to running the ball.  Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones should find quite a bit of running room against the Cardinals who are allowing 132.4 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  The Cardinals are also giving up 269.3 yards passing per game this year so look for Matt Cassel to take some shots deep off of play action to Dwyane Bowe and maybe even Chris Chambers.

When the Cardinals have the ball:  The Cardinals will come out throwing the ball because they are dingbats.  Derek Anderson has a big time arm but the Chiefs’ corners will have good chances to make big plays in this game as Cardinals’ QBs have been sacked 33 times this year and they have thrown 13 INTs.  The Chiefs still have to be ready to deal with WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston who are playmakers.  Tim Hightower is a pretty good all purpose back but the Cardinals don’t give him the ball much.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 37, CARDINALS 13

The last time the Broncos were at home they got drilled 59-14 by the Raiders who ran the ball all over them.  That will likely be the gameplan offensively for the Chiefs tomorrow.  The Broncos have had two weeks to get ready for the Chiefs but they are on a 4-game losing streak.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the football:  The Broncos have a lousy D as they are giving up 154.6 yards rushing and 204.4 yards passing per game so the Chiefs will likely be able to do whatever they want to.  They like to run the ball so look for Thomas Jones & Jamaal Charles to be very successful against the porous run D of the Broncos.  After the running game in established look for Matt Cassel to take some shots off playaction to TE Tony Moeaki and WR Dwayne Bowe.

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Chiefs are going to have to get to Kyle Orton who has been sacked 21 times this year.  Because if he has time to throw the ball he can do some damage.  He has a nice set of WRs in Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal and Demaryius Thomas.  The Broncos are only averaging 67.3 yards rushing per game and 2.9 yards per carry so if the Chiefs stop the Broncos’ passing attack they win the game.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 31, BRONCOS 23

The Chiefs have won two games in a row but they have not played too well away from Arrowhead Stadium.  The Chiefs are 1-2 on the road as they have been outscored 68-56.  The Raiders have been incredible lately as they also have a 2 game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents 92-17!  The are playing well in the Black Hole this year where they are 3-1, outscoring the opposition 108-75.  Here is a look a the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs are going to do what they do best and that is run the football with Thomas Jones & Jamaal Charles.  They should have success on the ground as the Raiders are giving up 127.4 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry.  The Raiders have amped up the pass rush lately as they have 24 sacks already this year.  Matt Cassel might have to make quicker decisions with the ball this weekend.

When the Raiders have the ball:  The Chiefs are only giving up 96.4 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry but that won’t scare off the Raiders.  Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Marcel Reece are going to be coming after the Chiefs’ D all day long.  Jason Campbell will likely take a few shots deep off of play action tomorrow as he has been very effective the last two weeks.

PREDICTION:  RAIDERS 27, CHIEFS 17

The Chiefs have been absolutely dominating at home this year.  They are 3-0 at Arrowhead Stadium and they have outscored the opposition 94-44!  The Bills got close last weekend before falling to the Ravens in O.T. 37-34.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs are going to run the ball against the Bills who are allowing 174.5 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry so far this year.  That means that Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles will likely both have big games this Sunday.  The Bills are also awful against the pass as opposing QBs have a 114.1 QB Rating against them.  Matt Cassel has had a string of nice games going and that will continue this Sunday.

When the Bills have the ball:  The Bills are going to throw when they get off the team bus.  Ryan Fitzpatrick has been playing out of his mind this year as he has a QB Rating of 102.0!  He will take aim at a Chiefs’ D that is allowing 243.8 yards passing per game.  He has a improving set of receivers in Steve Johnson, Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish so the Bills are going to be a threat when they have the ball.  They also have a decent pair of RBs when they decide to run the ball.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 38, BILLS 20

The Jaguars are in trouble this weekend as they will likely have to start Todd Bouman at QB and he has not appeared in an NFL game since 2007 with the Rams.  The Chiefs return home to Arrowhead Stadium where they have dominated so far this year.  They are 2-0 at home, outscoring opponents 52-24!   Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  This might be the week that the Chiefs take the shackles off the passing game.  The Jaguars are allowing 263.7 yards passing per game and opposing QBs have a 110.0 Rating against them this year.  WR Dwyane Bowe woke up last weekend and I look for him to have another solid game this Sunday.  TE Tony Moeaki, Chris Chambers and Dexter McCluster will also likely be in on the action.  That doesn’t mean the Chiefs won’t run the ball though as Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones have been outstanding all year long. 

When the Jaguars have the ball:  The Chiefs will likely go all out to step Maurice Jones-Drew and dare the Jaguars to try to beat them through the air with a guy who was sitting on his couch last weekend at QB.  The Chiefs are allowing 249.3 yards passing per game so far this year and they only have 3 interceptions so don’t be surprised if the Jaguars challenge them a bit more in the passing game then they probably should.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 26, JAGUARS 13

The Chiefs are a surprising 3-1 on the year and the Texans have had issues at home as they are 1-2 there (outscored by a combined 85-57)!  Something has to give in this game.  Here is a look at the matchups:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  If the Chiefs are ever going to throw the football this is the week.  The Texans are giving up 329.6 passing yards per game and opposing QBs have a 102.6 QB Rating against them.  The Chiefs O-Line has been incredible so far this year as Matt Cassel has only been sacked 3 times this year and the Chiefs are averaging 148.8 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.  With that in mind, Matt Cassel should have time to throw the football.  TE Tony Moeaki, Dwyane Bowe and Chris Chambers need to step up in this game for the Chiefs to have a chance at a road upset this week.  Don’t think for a minute though that the Chiefs won’t run the ball with Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones because they will get their touches against a Texans’ D that is allowing only 79.6 yards rushing per game and 3.6 yards per carry.

When the Texans have the ball:  The Texans will likely come out throwing the ball against the Chiefs to try to get them out of their offense (running the ball).  Matt Schaub has been sacked 14 times this year already so look for the Chiefs to blitz more than they usually like to.  Schaub will be looking mostly for Andre Johnson (down the field), Kevin Walter (on the short stuff) and Arian Foster (out of the backfield).  The Chiefs have been pretty good on run defense this year holding opponents to only 80.5 yards rushing and 3.2 yards per carry but they have yet to play a back like Arian Foster who has 562 yards rushing and 154 yards receiving so far this year.

PREDICTION:  TEXANS 24, CHIEFS 17

The Chiefs have had two weeks to prepare and rest up for the Colts’ game in Indy this Sunday.  The Colts got shocked by a last second field goal in Jacksonville last Sunday.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs are going to come out running the ball against a Colts’ D that is allowing 149.5 yards rushing and 5.0 yards per carry so far this year.  Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones will likely have a field day against the Colts’ D even if they pack the box with players.  Rookie TE Tony Moeaki has been Matt Cassel’s favorite target and that will likely continue this weekend due to the problems the Colts are having at safety.  The Chiefs will also try to get Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers move active this weekend.

When the Colts have the ball:  The Chiefs are going to have to get after Peyton Manning or he’s going to have a big game.  Rookie safety Eric Berry is going to have his hands full in dealing with TE Dallas Clark of the Colts.  Reggie Wayne and Ausin Collie (if he plays) are also going to be hard for the Chiefs’ secondary to deal with as they are giving up 238.0 yards passing per game so far this year.  The run defense should be able to handle Donald Brown and Joseph Addai as the Chiefs’ run defense has been outstanding so far this year.

PREDICTION:  COLTS 30, CHIEFS 24