The Kansas City Chiefs will always win more than half of their close games as long as Andy Reid is coaching and Patrick Mahomes is playing quarterback. It’s not just good luck when you have all-time greats in those spots.
But this Chiefs streak in close games is still unbelievable. This time, they doinked in a field goal for the win.
The Chiefs extended their NFL record by winning their 15th straight one-score game. The Los Angeles Chargers took a lead with less than five minutes remaining on Sunday night, but a Chiefs win seemed inevitable. Mahomes has come through in that situation so often we take it for granted, and he did it again with a long drive that ended with a game-winning, 31-yard field goal by Matthew Wright on the final play of the game. Wright didn’t hit it great, but it hit the left upright and caromed in. The Chiefs won 19-17, and fans around the NFL wondered again how they keep pulling off victories like that every week.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws under pressure from Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) in the first half on Sunday night. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Chargers battled hard and had a shot to win. But, like everyone else who thought they had Mahomes and the Chiefs on the ropes, they just ended up with a heartbreaking loss in the end.
Chiefs shut out Chargers before halftime
The Chargers had a rough first half on offense and didn’t score before halftime. They were down two key players to injury — running back J.K. Dobbins and receiver Ladd McConkey — and it showed. The Chargers also lost quarterback Justin Herbert briefly when he landed hard on a hit, and also tight end Will Dissly on the final play of the half.
The Chargers were lacking anyone who could make a play around Herbert. But to start the second half, the offense woke up. Gus Edwards scored on a 3-yard touchdown and despite being outplayed through the first half, the Chargers trailed just 13-7 early in the third quarter.
The Chargers got a stop, pressuring Mahomes on a third-and-1 into throwing an incompletion, then a quick drive that ended with Herbert hitting Quentin Johnston for a touchdown. Suddenly the Chargers led 14-13 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
As with just about every other Chiefs game this season, Kansas City wasn’t going to blow out its opponent.
Chiefs, Chargers trade lead in 4th quarter
The Chiefs regained the lead in the fourth quarter on a field goal, but had a shot at more. On third-and-16 Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins deep downfield, but Chargers defensive back Cam Hart arrived with the ball and put a big hit on Hopkins to knock the ball loose and incomplete. That came right after guard Trey Smith took a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, which changed the situation from third-and-1 to third-and-16.
That allowed the Chargers to come downfield and take the lead back. They got into Chiefs territory and kicked a field goal with 4:35 to go. Mahomes has overcome plenty of deficits in far less time than that to work with.
The Chiefs seemed to be in some trouble but Mahomes made a great play on third down, contorting his body to get a pass downfield to Xavier Worthy for a first down. In most of the Chiefs’ close wins, there’s usually at least one play like that from Mahomes that not many other quarterbacks can make.
The rest of the game played out as many others in the Chiefs’ streak. They methodically picked up some more first downs to bleed the clock. Mahomes made a defender miss and hit Travis Kelce on a big third down after the two-minute warning, and because the Chargers had used all their timeouts, the Chiefs could run out most of the rest of the clock and set up a field goal on the final play. Wright almost missed it but as usual, the Chiefs got the bounce they needed.
The Chiefs weren’t great the entire game, which has been a theme of their season. But when the Chiefs needed one drive to win it, they marched downfield as usual and got the game-winning points. It shouldn’t be possible to win 15 straight one-score games.
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Final: Chiefs 19, Chargers 17
The Chiefs have now won their ninth straight division title.
Chargers stats
Justin Herbert: 21-of-30 for 213 yards, 1 TD
Gus Edwards: 36 yards, 1 TD on 10 carries
Joshua Palmer: 78 yards on 6 receptions
Chiefs stats
Patrick Mahomes: 24-of-37 for 210 yards, 1 TD
Isiah Pacheco: 55 yards on 14 carries
Travis Kelce: 45 yards on 5 catches
Ryan Young
"The doink for the division!"
Matthew Wright banks in the game-winner from 31 yards out! The Chiefs have now officially won the AFC West.
Of course, Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs where they need to be at the 2 minute warning. They’re at the 20-yard line looking at a 3rd & 7 when we come back.
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The Chargers nearly stuffed the Chiefs on third down, but Mahomes found a wide-open Xavier Worthy in the middle of the field for a 14-yard gain to keep their drive alive.
Mahomes stays alive in the pocket and finds Worthy for the first down!
The Chargers' drive stalled out in Chiefs territory, but they're back in the lead now late in the fourth quarter after a Dicker field goal.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will get the ball back now with 4:35 left in the game trailing by a single point.
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Chiefs 16, Chargers 14
Hopkins nearly had a catch at the goal line, but it was knocked out at the last second. So Matthew Wright comes out to hit a 50-yarder, and the Chiefs are in the lead again.
The Chiefs are driving now, and will have a 3rd & 3 at the Chargers’ 35 yard line when we come back from the break. If they can't convert, we’re looking at a very long field goal attempt from Matthew Wright at best.
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Chargers take the lead
And just like that, the Chargers are in the lead. Justin Herbert hit a wide-open Quentin Johnston in the end zone. It's his seventh touchdown of the season, and the Chargers are suddenly 14-13.
Herbert to Johnston! The @Chargers take the lead ⚡️
Justin Herbert took a deep shot to Quentin Johnston, and they drew a pass interference call on their first play. That's a nearly 40-yard penalty, and the Chargers are suddenly in scoring position.
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The Chargers will get the ball right back after forcing a three-and-out, and they now suddenly have a chance to take the lead after being shutout in the first half.
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Touchdown, Chargers
The Chargers are finally on the board. Gus Edwards punched in a short touchdown run out of the break to cap a very solid drive that lasted nearly eight minutes. The Chiefs lead 13-7 now midway through the third.
Gus Edwards caps off a 13-play, 79-yard drive for the @Chargers first TD of the night!
The Chargers have the ball to start the second half, and Justin Herbert is back out there after his injury scare late in the second quarter. He looks to be OK so far.
Jason Owens
Chiefs 13, Chargers 0: Key halftime stats
Kansas City's defense is the story through one half as it has been throughout the season. Here are the key halftime stats as the Chiefs hold a 13-0 lead:
Justin Herbert: 10 of 18 for 97 yards, no touchdowns or turnovers Patrick Mahomes: 18 of 25 for 153 yards, 1 touchdown and no turnovers
Chargers runners: 8 carries for 34 yards (Taylor Heinicke leads with 12 yards) Chiefs runners: 10 carries for 42 yards (Isiah Pacheo leads with 19 yards)
Joshua Palmer: 2 catches for 41 yards DeAndre Hopkins: 4 catches for 32 yards, 1 touchdown Travis Kelce: 3 catches for 29 yards
Chargers total offense: 127 yards on 4.7 yards per play Chiefs total offense: 187 yards on 4.9 yards per play
Chargers first downs: 6 Chiefs first downs: 13
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Justin Herbert is back
Justin Herbert is back. The Chargers quarterback was replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke for one play after a hit late in the second second quarter left him reeling and grabbing his left leg on the ground. But he returned to the field for the Chargers' next possession that started with 47 seconds left in the half.
The Chargers failed to score and go into halftime with a 13-0 deficit. But their star quarterback appears to be OK after an injury scare.
Jason Owens
Chiefs find end zone for 13-0 lead
It took more than 29 minutes, but we have our first touchdown. Kansas City caps a 77-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to DeAndre Hopkins, and the Chiefs extend their lead to 13-0.
There's 47 seconds remaining in the half, and Justin Herbert's status is unclear.
Jason Owens
Justin Herbert replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke
Justin Herbert grabbed his left thigh after the hit and remained on the ground as trainers tended to him. He eventually got up and limped off the field alongside trainers, but was replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke for the next play.
The Chargers failed to convert on third-and-20 and punted after one play with Heinicke at quarterback. The Chiefs took over possession after a punt with 3:28 remaining in the game. Herbert's status wasn't initially clear.
Jason Owens
Justin Herbert's down after a hit from Nick Bolton
Justin Herbert is slow to get up and being attended to by trainers after a hit from Nick Bolton. His status isn't immediately clear.
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No PI call riles up Chiefs fans
Fans in Kansas City aren't happy. Kristian Fulton grabbed DeAndre Hopkins on a third-down deep ball from Patrick Mahomes. But officials ruled that the ball wasn't catchable and declined to flag Fulton for pass interference.
The Chargers have the ball back after a Chiefs punt. Kansas City leads, 6-0 with 4:45 before halftime.
The Chargers can't get anything going. The Chiefs force a second straight 3-and-out, and the Chargers remain scoreless midway through the second quarter. That's now four punts in four Chargers possessions.
Jason Owens
Chiefs score, but still no touchdowns
Another Chiefs scoring drive ends in a field goal. Kansas City drives 40 yards, but fails to find the end zone after failing to convert on fourth-and-5 in the red zone. Matthew Wright's second field goal of the night is good from 33 yards to extend Kansas City's lead to 6-0 midway through the second quarter.
The Chiefs' defense is shutting the Chargers down so far. But a tepid offense is failing to take control of the game. This is the same formula that finds the Chiefs in close games week in and week out.
Jason Owens
Justin Herbert misses on home-run ball to Joshua Palmer
The Chargers had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Joshua Palmer broke free deep past the Kansas City secondary on second down. But Justin Herbert missed the mark with an overthrown ball on a would-be touchdown had Palmer been able to corral it.
Instead, the Chargers punted after failing to convert on third down and are still seeking their first score. A tough miss for the Chargers in a game where points won't come easy.
The Chargers forced a punt, then nearly gave the ball right back on a muff. Derius Davis mishandled the punt that he intended to return, but was able to jump on the ball before Kansas City's coverage team got downfield.
Los Angeles will start its third possession from its own 17 looking for its first score of the game.
Jason Owens
Chiefs take 3-0 lead into second quarter
The Chargers moved the ball after being pinned at their 2-yard line. But the Chiefs forced a second Chargers punt in two possessions after a 53-yard drive. Kansas City has the ball back and will start the second quarter at second-and-4 at its own 12-yard line.
Kansas City's defense has carried it all season and is off to a strong start against the Chargers.
Jason Owens
Chargers pressure forces Chiefs punt
Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu got pressure on Patrick Mahomes on third-and-4 to force an incomplete pass. The Chiefs punt from their own 39 and pin the Chargers next to their own end zone at the 2-yard line.
Jason Owens
Chargers punt on first drive
Justin Herbert scrambled for seven yards on third-and-16 to advance the Chargers to Kansas City's 39-yard line. But the Chargers opted against attempting a 57-yard field goal and punted the ball back to the Chiefs.
Kansas City leads, 3-0 after one possession for each team.
Jason Owens
Khalil Mack sack halts Chiefs' opening drive
Kansas City put together a nice first drive, but Khalil Mack put it to a swift end with a third-and-10 sack of Patrick Mahomes at the Chargers' 29-yard line. The Chiefs settle for a field goal, and Matthew Wright is good from 47 yards for an early 3-0 Kansas City lead.
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