Chiefs hold off Chargers to remain in playoff hunt

The Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) held off the San Diego Chargers (3-10), 10-3, to remain in the playoff race. Here is what we learned from the game:

1. Defense won the game for Kansas City. The Chiefs stopped a valiant effort by the Chargers to tie the game in the closing seconds and only gave up three points in the contest.

Linebacker Dee Ford had the game of his career. The second-year defender recorded seven tackles and three sacks. Kansas City had five sacks on the day and held Philip Rivers to a 64.4 quarterback rating.

2. Alex Smith and the Chiefs' offense did little to help Kansas City's cause.

The Chiefs only mustered up 10 points against a poor San Diego defense. They scored their lone touchdown late in the first half when Smith hit Albert Wilsonfor a 44-yard touchdown. They then followed up the touchdown with a field goal just before the half, but were shut out in the second half.

Much like the Chargers, the Chiefs struggled to produce big plays down field.

3. San Diego's laundry list of issues remained the same in Kansas City. The offense line struggled to pass and run block -- and the Chargers' defense is just bad in all phases.

The Chargers' dink-and-dunk-style offense has become very predictable due to Rivers only trusting Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green and Danny Woodhead. On the ground, rookie running back Melvin Gordon is still having a tough time generating a run attack. It doesn't help matters that Gordon is running behind a makeshift offensive line.

4. Rivers played Sunday's game with the flu. The Chargers' franchise quarterback was 24 of 43 for 263 yards passing with one interception.

5. Touchdown drought continues: The Chargers' offense hasn't scored a touchdown in three weeks.