CARSON, Calif. -- For the past two seasons, the month of December had been more about talent evaluation and an early look at the 2018 NFL draft for the Los Angeles Chargers.

But for the first time in three years, the Chargers are playing meaningful football in December. At 7-6, the Chargers will hit the road to face their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, with a chance to claim the top spot outright in the AFC West.

"It's one of my favorite places to play," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "You get used to division teams like Denver and Kansas City as places that are your favorite places to play because you've been there the most.

"But the atmosphere on Saturday night will be about as good as you can find anywhere. These are the games you grow up dreaming about playing in."

Rivers said he told his teammates to keep focused on the "one game at a time" approach that got them to this point, but also to enjoy the opportunity of playing games that matter in the final month of the season.

"It's not much better than going to Kansas City on a Saturday night in December and playing for the division lead with three games left," Rivers said. "So I think it's good to acknowledge that, but make sure everybody doesn't get too caught up in the hype because it can end and turn the other way in a hurry."

The Chargers haven't won in Kansas City since 2013 -- the last time this franchise made the postseason. That season the Chargers won their final four games to reach the playoffs.

Rivers also has a history of playing his best football in the final month of the season.

Since taking over as the team's starter in 2006, Rivers has guided the Chargers to a 36-18 (67 percent) record in regular-season games played in December.

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said he's leaning on veteran leaders such as Rivers to help guide younger players these next three games.

"It's real valuable when you have veteran guys that have been there, done it and can teach the young guys," Lynn said. "We have a young team, and I think our captains and our veteran leadership do a good job carrying out my vision throughout the locker room."

Running back Melvin Gordon is one of those young players wading into uncharted territory and looks forward to the ride.

"It's a big game right here that we definitely need to win if we want to be where we need to be," Gordon said. "I feel like if they [Chiefs] win this, they pretty much lock up our division. ... So we need it. It's going to be a big game Saturday."