Thursday Night Football: Chiefs at Chargers

John Morgan

Nov 1, 2012 at 8:13pm ET

1-6 Kansas City Chiefs at 3-4 San Diego Chargers

I feel like I'm watching something on the NFL equivalent of Death Row: who lasts longer, Romeo Crenel or Norv Turner? Scott Pioli or A.J. Smith?

I thought Philip Rivers would bounce back and play well in 2012, but he hasn't been anything special at all this year. On the other hand he's still a lot better than either of the options in Kansas City, Matt Cassel (who returns as QB this week) or Brady Quinn.

Although it didn't work out that way last week in the Bucs-Vikings game, I still think the road team on a short week (i.e., Thursday Night Football) is at a distinct disadvantage. The points are too high for me to want to put my money where my mouth is though.

Chargers (-7); over 41½

- final score: Chargers 31, Chiefs 13

This Day In Patriots History

November 1, 1963:
The Patriots crush Houston 45-3 at Fenway Park to improve to 5-4 and move into a first place tie with the Oilers in the AFL East, a half game in front of Buffalo. The Patriots defense was stout on this day, holding Houston to just 19 yards rushing on 12 carries while picking off six Oilers' passes. Larry Garron got things started with a 76-yard touchdown reception from Babe Parilli, who ran for two touchdowns himself. The defense was highlighted by two interceptions returned for touchdowns: a 98-yard pick-six by Bob Suci just before halftime that was a huge momentum swing and a in reality a 14-point play, and then a 78-yard return by Jim Hunt to cap off scoring in the 4th quarter; it was this play that earned Hunt the nickname "Earthquake". Suci had two interceptions on the day, and Tom Addison, Ron Hall and Ross O'Hanley each had one pick also.

November 1, 1970:
Jim Nance ran for 76 yards including a 19-yard touchdown run but the Pats defense was unable to contain O.J. Simpson in a 45-10 loss to the Bills at Harvard Stadium. Clive Rush was fired after this game, finishing his career with a 5-16 record as head coach of the Patriots.

November 1, 1981:
Don Hasselbeck had four receptions for 100 yards in a 27-17 loss to the Raiders at Oakland; it was Hasselbeck's fourth 100-yard game of the season.

November 1, 1987:
Patriots beat the Raiders 26-23 on Tony Franklin's 4th field goal of the day, 26-23 at Sullivan Stadium. Stanley Morgan had six receptions for 146 yards, Steve Grogan threw for 282 yards, and Tony Collins rushed for 75 yards and also scored on a 15-yard 4th down halfback option pass from Mosi Tatupu for the Pats.

November 1, 1992:
For the second straight week the Pats hold their opponent to under twenty points - but still lose. Vincent Brown scored the Pats only points on a 25-yard fumble return in a 16-7 loss to the Bills at Rich Stadium. Tommy Hodson was the New England quarterback that day, going a respectable 17 for 26 (68%) but only amassing 171 yards through the air.

November 1, 1998:
Drew Bledsoe threw for 306 yards as the Patriots defeated the Colts 21-16 at the RCA Dome. Bledsoe's 63-yards scoring strike to Tony Simmons gave the Pats an 11-point 4th quarter lead before rookie Peyton Manning hit Marcus Pollard to pull Indy within five with 3:40 remaining. Each of the Colts last two possessions ended with Lawyer Milloy intercepting a Manning pass to seal the victory.

The Pats picked on Indianapolis cornerback Jeff Burris early and often: Burris drew three critical pass interference penalties. The first flag gave the Pats on the Indy 10; after an 8-yard run by Robert Edwards, Bledose hit Ben Coates with a 2-yard touchdown. After a Colts score on the next possession Burris was called for pass interference in the end zone and Edwards ran it in from the one. In the 4th quarter Burris was flagged again on the TD to Simmons, a penalty which the Pats obviously declined.

The Patriots receiving corps was depleted with Terry Glenn, Vincent Brisby and Troy Brown all sidelined with injuries. Coates stepped up with 109 yards and ten receptions, and backup Simmons chipped in with 109 yards as well, on four catches.

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November 1, 1946:
Rick Grech, bass player for Traffic and Blind Faith, was born in Bordeaux, France.