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NFL Picks Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs Vs. San Diego Chargers And Matt Cassel Factor

The Kansas City Chiefs will travel to San Diego this weekend to take on the Chargers in what is the biggest game of the year in the AFC West. A Chiefs victory eliminates the Chargers from winning the division and all but eliminates them from wildcard consideration.

The problem? Matt Cassel's appendectomy. It looks like that will likely put him out this weekend against the Chargers but the Chiefs are still holding out the small hope that he can play.

Peter King of SI.com is picking the Chargers -- 24-17 -- but does bring up a good point about Brodie Croyle, who is expected to replace Cassel.

Can't see this being a Chargers' walkover with Matt Cassel out. Don't forget that last year, with three minutes to go at Baltimore, Brodie Croyle had the Chiefs tied 24-24.
Croyle's performance in that game is something to keep in mind. Against what ended up being the league's third ranked defense, he completed 16-of-24 passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. If he repeats that performance, KC will be in this game.

With the way the Chiefs are built, I don't see this being a blowout. I can't realistically expect a victory with the starting quarterback possibly out because, well, the backup is an unknown right now. Croyle has played one game in the Todd Haley/Scott Pioli era and it went well (despite the final score).