Chargers on their season and Chiefs

[the Talking Can]

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/04/c...talented-team/

...Reviewing the season, Gates brought up the opening-night loss to the Chiefs, and the continued success of the Patriots, who won at San Diego en route to becoming the AFC's top seed.

Kansas City's victory, fueled in part by a few 2010 draftees, "gave the Chiefs that confidence and that motivation of, 'Look, we beat the Chargers, we can beat a lot of teams,' " Gates said. "To me, had they not won that game, their season would not have turned out the same."

A Pro Bowl regular, Gates also praised the Patriots for an efficient brand of ball, contrasting a Chargers team that lost nine fumbles more than it recovered.

"They haven't thrown an interception in forever," he said. "That means they're taking care of the football, and I think that's a start for any team -- taking care of the football. And special teams are phenomenal for the Patriots."

Burnett said he probably will not watch the playoffs. Rivers and center Nick Hardwick said they will watch because they might learn something that could help the Chargers next year.

"I will definitely watch the Jets and Colts game," Gates said. "And I will watch the Chiefs game."

Gates said he believes another AFC West team might have fared better than the Chiefs will fare.

Surprisingly, the other AFC West team he mentioned was not the Chargers, but another San Diego rival whose recent drafts are paying off.

"Personally, no disrespect to the Chiefs, I think the Raiders (8-8) would have represented the AFC West better, if I had to take a pick of who I wanted to go," Gates said. "Because the Chiefs are still pretty young. They're a young team. They're talented, but they are a young team. But, they played tremendous this year."