Chiefs' Matthew Wright ricochets in field goal to beat Chargers, clinch division

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Matthew Wright laced a 31-yard field goal attempt into the left upright, but got a lucky bounce over the back side of the cross bar to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a slim win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Wright's fortuitous boot occurred as time expired in the 19-17 triumph Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Sunday Night Football victory helped the Chiefs clinch their ninth-consecutive AFC West division title.

"I wanted it to go right down the middle, obviously, but I'm just happy it went in," Wright told reporters, when asked about his game-winning field goal.

Sunday's game featured four second-half lead changes. The Chiefs and Chargers logged 20 first downs apiece. The Chargers held a narrow 1:47 edge in time of possession. The Chiefs held 298-288 advantage in total yards. Neither team turned the ball over. The Chiefs held a 13-0 lead at halftime, but allowed a Chargers third-quarter rally.

"In the second half, they kinda got it going," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "But, when it counted, we took care of business."

Wright put the first points on the scoreboard with a 47-yard kick five minutes into the game. He added a 33-yard kick 7:47 before halftime. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the final minute of the first half to give the Chiefs a two-possession lead at the break.

The Chargers opened the second half with a 13-play, 79-yard drive. Running back Gus Edwards finished the possession with a 3-yard touchdown run. The Chargers defense then forced a Chiefs three-and-out.

Quarterback Justin Herbert threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Quentin Johnston with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter to give the Chargers their first lead.

Mahomes led the Chiefs to the Chargers 32-yard line on the next possession, resulting in a 50-yard, go-ahead field goal from Wright two minutes into the fourth quarter.

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made a 37-yard attempt on the next drive for a 17-16 advantage. Mahomes proceeded to use his arm and legs to move the ball deep into Chargers territory, setting up Wright for his bounced-in game-winner.

"It's our first goal every single year: to win the AFC West," said Mahomes, who completed 24 of 37 passes for 210 yards and a score. "It's a great division. A lot of rivalries, where everybody is playing each other tough.

"Three teams are probably going to make the playoffs. That speaks to the division we play in. ... It was an important game for us against a really good football team. We found a way to get a win. But now we have to keep building if we want to get to our ultimate goal."

Herbert completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards and a score in the loss. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught five passes for 45 yards. Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton registered two sacks in the victory.

The Chiefs (12-1) will face the Cleveland Browns (3-10) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Cleveland. The Chargers (8-5) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.