There are many different ways to go about predicting the winner of an NFL game; studying scouting reports, analyzing individual matchups, checking out the NFL spreads, those are just a few of the tools experts use to make their predictions. Those are all fine methods, but I prefer a more modern way, playing the match-up on Madden 2010 and seeing who comes out on top. Here is this week’s game prediction:

Chargers Pull Away after a Tight First Half

After a tough loss to Denver last week, the San Diego Chargers rebounded to knock off the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-20, at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chargers struck first when quarterback Philip Rivers hooked up with Vincent Jackson for a 5-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead. Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe and Larry Johnson crossed the goal line for his first touchdown in 2009 to give the Chiefs a 14-7 lead.

The two teams then exchanged field goals to close out the first half with the Chiefs on top 17-10. After nearly fumbling away the second half kickoff, the Chiefs committed a blunder that proved costly. Larry Johnson couldn’t handle an exchange from Cassel and fumbled the ball. San Diego’s Shaun Phillips recovered the ball and returned it five yards for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-14. The Chiefs offense was stymied for the rest of the day by a suddenly fierce Charger defense. LaDainian Tomlinson added two second half touchdowns and sealed the game.

Game Stats

Kansas City Passing:
Matt Cassel 18 of 27 for 210 yards and 1 touchdown

San Diego Passing:
Philip Rivers 23 of 29 for 238 yards and 1 touchdown

Kansas City Rushing:
Larry Johnson 21 carries for 78 yards and 1 touchdown
Jamaal Charles 3 carries for 13 yards
Matt Cassel 2 carries for 8 yards

San Diego Rushing:
LaDainian Tomlinson 27 carries for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns
Darren Sproles 7 carries for 27 yards
Philip Rivers 1 carry for 5 yards
Jacob Hester 1 carry for 2 yards

Kansas City Receiving:
Dwayne Bowe 7 receptions for 104 yards and 1 touchdown
Larry Johnson 4 receptions for 36 yards
Bobby Wade 4 receptions for 48 yards
Sean Ryan 3 receptions for 22 yards

San Diego Receiving:
Antonio Gates 8 receptions for 91 yards
Vincent Jackson 5 receptions for 50 yards and 1 touchdown
Malcom Floyd 4 receptions for 33 yards
Chris Chambers 2 receptions for 35 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson 2 reception for 18 yards
Mike Tolbert 2 receptions for 11 yards