Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2009 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-10-25, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 37–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with -17.79 total EPA, and -15.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.56 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-8.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (5:02) 7-M.Cassel up the middle to KC 41 for no gain (74-J.Cesaire). KC-64-R.Niswanger was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +15.56 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2. 2 V. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +11.90 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Sproles · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Wade · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Sproles · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +2.26 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Floyd · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.02 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +0.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Floyd (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 52:36)
• Los Angeles Chargers — V. Jackson (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 46:31)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Bowe (M. Cassel pass) (Q3 24:54)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Sproles (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 20:56)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Colquitt (Q4 9:21)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q2 39:52)
• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q2 30:06)
• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q4 11:40)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 3 (Q1 52:36) — (7:36) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 80-M.Floyd for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-T.Hali].; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 52:32) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 10 (Q1 46:31) — (1:31) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 83-V.Jackson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 46:23) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 6–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the KC 2 (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) 10-N.Kaeding 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the KC 21 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 10-N.Kaeding 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 7 (Q3 24:54) — (9:54) 7-M.Cassel pass short left to 82-D.Bowe for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 24:48) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 58 (Q3 20:56) — (5:56) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 43-D.Sproles for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 20:45) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the KC 1 (Q4 11:40) — (11:40) 10-N.Kaeding 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the LAC 70 (Q4 9:21) — (9:21) 2-D.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 22-J.Hester, Center-43-T.Gafford, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at KC -1. TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 9:13) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 50:02) — (5:02) 7-M.Cassel up the middle to KC 41 for no gain (74-J.Cesaire). KC-64-R.Niswanger was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. [WPA -8.5% · EPA -3.19]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 57:32) — (12:32) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle pushed ob at KC 44 for 36 yards (30-M.Brown). [WPA +5.8% · EPA +2.49]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 43:55) — (13:55) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right to 83-V.Jackson to KC 31 for 51 yards (47-J.McGraw). [WPA +5.5% · EPA +4.67]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 54:25) — (9:25) 43-D.Sproles up the middle to KC 21 for 6 yards (39-B.Carr). [WPA +5.1% · EPA +1.09]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 35:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass right to 83-V.Jackson to KC 29 for 51 yards (23-M.Richardson). [WPA +4.0% · EPA +4.27]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 20:56) — (5:56) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 43-D.Sproles for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.6% · EPA +6.35]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 9:21) — (9:21) 2-D.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 22-J.Hester, Center-43-T.Gafford, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at KC -1. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.0% · EPA -6.05]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass deep right intended for 83-M.Bradley INTERCEPTED by 27-P.Oliver at KC 36. 27-P.Oliver pushed ob at KC 2 for 34 yards (74-W.Smith). [WPA -0.7% · EPA -5.81]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 18:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short middle intended for 89-S.Ryan INTERCEPTED by 51-T.Dobbins at LAC 36. 51-T.Dobbins to LAC 49 for 13 yards (74-W.Smith). [WPA -2.1% · EPA -4.97]

Quarterback report card

M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) · 35 dropbacks · 28.6% completion · -15.6% CPOE · -0.51 EPA/play · -17.79 total EPA
• P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +2.1% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +15.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.36), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, -31.06 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Chargers: 14 drives, +4.51 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Cassel (KC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 52:36 · KC 3 · Score 6-0
   (7:36) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 80-M.Floyd for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-T.Hali].
2. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 52:32 · KC 2 · Score 7-0
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
3. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 46:31 · KC 10 · Score 13-0
   (1:31) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 83-V.Jackson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 46:23 · KC 2 · Score 14-0
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
5. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 39:52 · KC 2 · Score 17-0
   (9:52) 10-N.Kaeding 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
6. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · KC 21 · Score 20-0
   (:06) 10-N.Kaeding 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 24:54 · LAC 7 · Score 20-6
   (9:54) 7-M.Cassel pass short left to 82-D.Bowe for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 24:48 · LAC 2 · Score 20-7
   6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
9. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 20:56 · KC 58 · Score 26-7
   (5:56) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 43-D.Sproles for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 20:45 · KC 2 · Score 27-7
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
11. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 11:40 · KC 1 · Score 30-7
    (11:40) 10-N.Kaeding 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
12. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 9:21 · LAC 70 · Score 36-7
    (9:21) 2-D.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 22-J.Hester, Center-43-T.Gafford, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at KC -1. TOUCHDOWN.
13. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 9:13 · KC 2 · Score 37-7
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.