Going into last week’s game against the Broncos, the Chargers thought their improved health on the defensive line would help them play against the run, and at least by the numbers, that appears to be the case.
Entering Monday’s game, the Chargers were allowing 151 rushing yards per game, and opponents were averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Denver gained 101 yards on the ground and averaged 3.1 yards per attempt. The Broncos had five runs on which they were stopped for no gain and eight more in which they were limited to two yards or less.
“We executed better,” defensive tackle 
As they expected, the Chargers had more healthy bodies available, which helped everyone up front perform better. Defensive tackle
“For the first time we were stout in terms of guys that are really good at their positions,” Rivera said. “We got Ian back and he’s a bigger body who plays with better leverage. We got Travis back who gives us a 300-pound guy at the end rotation. Plus it helped to give the other guys more of a break.”
After playing 64 snaps at Pittsburgh, defensive end
“It was great to be able to go hard and know that you had somebody else coming in within three or four plays,” Castillo said. “It lets you play with a better tempo out there because you are a lot fresher. Just having talented veterans like Ian, Travis, Alfonso (Boone) and Jacques out there along with Ogemdi … the new guy who is also doing a great job for us … we’re better with all those guys.”
With Boone and Johnson in their first years with the club, Nwagbuo seeing his first action on the 53-man roster and Scott returning after playing sparingly with the club in 2008, the group features new faces that, according to Rivera, are getting a feel for working together.
“We’ve got a group of guys who haven’t really played together,” Rivera said. “I think they’re starting to feel better with each other and that’s important as well.”
This week, San Diego’s challenge will be to stop Kansas City’s Larry Johnson. The two-time Pro Bowler is averaging only 2.7 yards per carry this season but had his best game of the year last week against Washington (83 yards and 3.6 average) and has the Chargers’ attention.
“He’s a quality football player and you have to give him his respect because when he’s going he’s pretty doggone good,” Rivera said.
Injury update
Four Chargers – wide receiver
“When you miss practice it affects you and it drains some energy out of you,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “I’m concerned about the guys that have missed and hopefully it doesn’t spread any further.”
Linebacker
Haley impressed
Tomlinson had his best outing of the season Monday against the Broncos. He rushed for 70 yards on 18 carries and averaged 3.9 yards per run. When asked about LT Wednesday, Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley said he sees a dangerous player in San Diego’s backfield.
“He’s a back that has always scared me and I don’t see anything different in him this year,” Haley said. “It’s a fraction of an inch here, a fraction of an inch there from big runs. I know statistically it’s probably not where he’s been in the past at this point, but I really think that’s more the way things have fallen. He looks like a big-time back to me.”
Combined with 30 receiving yards, LT totaled 100 yards Monday and had explosive gains of 25 yards on a screen pass and a long run of 17.
Tough venue
The Chargers have won three of their last five contests at Arrowhead Stadium, but they believe it’s still one of the most difficult places to play in the NFL.
“It’s very loud,” Turner said. “They’ve got great fans. We go back there and play a noon game so it’s important that we get up and get going. They play awfully well there. They’ve played well for a long time. They’ve always been a good defensive team through the years so when you go into a place with the crowd noise with a history like that, it makes it a close game.”
When San Diego won in Kansas City in 2004, it broke a seven-game losing streak at Arrowhead. The Chargers are 17-21 all time at Arrowhead. They escaped with a one-point win last season after trailing 21-3 in the third quarter.
Lineup change
Rivera confirmed Thursday that the Chargers will try some new position combinations in the secondary. Safety
“We’ve moved guys around the last few weeks just to see what we’ve got,” Rivera said. “We’ve got to give it a shot and see how it goes.”
