Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws below strain from Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) within the first half on Sunday night time. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Kansas City Chiefs will all the time win greater than half of their shut video games so long as Andy Reid is teaching and Patrick Mahomes is taking part in quarterback. It’s not simply good luck when you will have all-time greats in these spots.
But this Chiefs streak in shut video games remains to be unbelievable. This time, they doinked in a area purpose for the win.
The Chiefs prolonged their NFL file by successful their fifteenth straight one-score recreation. The Los Angeles Chargers took a lead with lower than 5 minutes remaining on Sunday night time, however a Chiefs win appeared inevitable. Mahomes has come via in that scenario so usually we take it with no consideration, and he did it once more with an extended drive that ended with a game-winning, 31-yard area purpose by Matthew Wright on the ultimate play of the sport. Wright didn’t hit it nice, nevertheless it hit the left upright and caromed in. The Chiefs gained 19-17, and followers across the NFL questioned once more how they maintain pulling off victories like that each week.
With the win, the Chiefs clinched their ninth straight AFC West title. They even have a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills, who misplaced to the Rams on Sunday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 1 seed within the AFC.
The Chargers battled arduous and had a shot to win. But, like everybody else who thought they’d Mahomes and the Chiefs on the ropes, they simply ended up with a heartbreaking loss ultimately.
Chiefs shut out Chargers earlier than halftime
The Chargers had a tough first half on offense and didn’t rating earlier than halftime. They had been down two key gamers to damage — operating again J.Okay. Dobbins and receiver Ladd McConkey — and it confirmed. The Chargers additionally misplaced quarterback Justin Herbert briefly when he landed arduous on successful, and likewise tight finish Will Dissly on the ultimate play of the half.
The Chargers had been missing anybody who may make a mess around Herbert. But to begin the second half, the offense awakened. Gus Edwards scored on a 3-yard landing and regardless of being outplayed via the primary half, the Chargers trailed simply 13-7 early within the third quarter.
The Chargers acquired a cease, pressuring Mahomes on a third-and-1 into throwing an incompletion, then a fast drive that ended with Herbert hitting Quentin Johnston for a landing. Suddenly the Chargers led 14-13 with 3:30 left within the third quarter.
As with nearly each different Chiefs recreation this season, Kansas City wasn’t going to blow out its opponent.
Chiefs, Chargers commerce lead in 4th quarter
The Chiefs regained the lead within the fourth quarter on a area purpose, however had a shot at extra. On third-and-16 Mahomes discovered DeAndre Hopkins deep downfield, however Chargers defensive again Cam Hart arrived with the ball and put a giant hit on Hopkins to knock the ball free and incomplete. That got here proper after guard Trey Smith took a 15-yard pointless roughness penalty, which modified the scenario from third-and-1 to third-and-16.
That allowed the Chargers to return downfield and take the lead again. They acquired into Chiefs territory and kicked a area purpose with 4:35 to go. Mahomes has overcome loads of deficits in far much less time than that to work with.
The Chiefs gave the impression to be in some bother however Mahomes made an awesome play on third down, contorting his physique to get a move downfield to Xavier Worthy for a primary down. In a lot of the Chiefs’ shut wins, there’s normally at the very least one play like that from Mahomes that not many different quarterbacks could make.
The remainder of the sport performed out as many others within the Chiefs’ streak. They methodically picked up some extra first downs to bleed the clock. Mahomes made a defender miss and hit Travis Kelce on a giant third down after the two-minute warning, and since the Chargers had used all their timeouts, the Chiefs may run out a lot of the remainder of the clock and arrange a area purpose on the ultimate play. Wright virtually missed it however as regular, the Chiefs acquired the bounce they wanted.
The Chiefs weren’t nice the whole recreation, which has been a theme of their season. But when the Chiefs wanted one drive to win it, they marched downfield as regular and acquired the game-winning factors. It shouldn’t be doable to win 15 straight one-score video games.
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Final: Chiefs 19, Chargers 17
The Chiefs have now gained 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
“The doink for the division!”
Matthew Wright banks within the game-winner from 31 yards out! The Chiefs have now formally gained the AFC West.
The Chiefs beat the Chargers 19-17.
Mahomes to Kelce to remain alive
Patrick Mahomes scrambles completely, after which hit Travis Kelce for a primary down. The Chargers had been so shut …
Chiefs in place at 2 minute warning
Of course, Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs the place they should be on the 2 minute warning. They’re on the 20-yard line taking a look at a third & 7 after we come again.
The Chargers almost stuffed the Chiefs on third down, however Mahomes discovered a wide-open Xavier Worthy in the midst of the sector for a 14-yard acquire to maintain their drive alive.
Chargers again in entrance
The Chargers’ drive stalled out in Chiefs territory, however they’re again within the lead now late within the fourth quarter after a Dicker area purpose.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will get the ball again now with 4:35 left within the recreation trailing by a single level.
Chiefs 16, Chargers 14
Hopkins almost had a catch on the purpose line, nevertheless it was knocked out on the final second. So Matthew Wright comes out to hit a 50-yarder, and the Chiefs are within the lead once more.
End 3: Chargers 14, Chiefs 13
The Chiefs are driving now, and may have a third & 3 on the Chargers’ 35 yard line after we come again from the break. If they cannot convert, we’re taking a look at a really lengthy area purpose try from Matthew Wright at finest.
Chargers take the lead
And identical to that, the Chargers are within the lead. Justin Herbert hit a wide-open Quentin Johnston ultimately zone. It’s his seventh landing of the season, and the Chargers are out of the blue 14-13.
Chargers in scoring place straight away
Justin Herbert took a deep shot to Quentin Johnston, they usually drew a move interference name on their first play. That’s an almost 40-yard penalty, and the Chargers are out of the blue in scoring place.
The Chargers will get the ball proper again after forcing a three-and-out, they usually now out of the blue have an opportunity to take the lead after being shutout within the first half.
Touchdown, Chargers
The Chargers are lastly on the board. Gus Edwards punched in a brief landing run out of the break to cap a really stable drive that lasted almost eight minutes. The Chiefs lead 13-7 now halfway via the third.
Justin Herbert is dealing on their first drive of the third quarter, and the Chargers at the moment are in scoring place.
Justin Herbert beginning the second half
The Chargers have the ball to begin the second half, and Justin Herbert is again on the market after his damage scare late within the second quarter. He appears to be OK to date.
Chiefs 13, Chargers 0: Key halftime stats
Kansas City’s protection is the story via one half because it has been all through the season. Here are the important thing halftime stats because the Chiefs maintain 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 landing 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 landing Travis Kelce: 3 catches for 29 yards
Chargers complete offense: 127 yards on 4.7 yards per play Chiefs complete offense: 187 yards on 4.9 yards per play
Chargers first downs: 6 Chiefs first downs: 13
Justin Herbert is again
Justin Herbert is again. The Chargers quarterback was changed by backup Taylor Heinicke for one play after successful late within the second second quarter left him reeling and grabbing his left leg on the bottom. But he returned to the sector for the Chargers’ subsequent possession that began with 47 seconds left within the half.
The Chargers failed to attain and go into halftime with a 13-0 deficit. But their star quarterback seems to be OK after an damage scare.
Chiefs discover finish zone for 13-0 lead
It took greater than 29 minutes, however we’ve our first landing. Kansas City caps a 77-yard drive with a 9-yard landing move from Patrick Mahomes to DeAndre Hopkins, and the Chiefs lengthen their result in 13-0.
There’s 47 seconds remaining within the half, and Justin Herbert’s standing is unclear.
Justin Herbert changed by backup Taylor Heinicke
Justin Herbert grabbed his left thigh after the hit and remained on the bottom as trainers tended to him. He ultimately acquired up and limped off the sector alongside trainers, however was changed by backup Taylor Heinicke for the following play.
The Chargers did not 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 within the recreation. Herbert’s standing wasn’t initially clear.
Justin Herbert’s down after successful from Nick Bolton
Justin Herbert is gradual to rise up and being attended to by trainers after successful from Nick Bolton. His standing is not instantly clear.
No PI name riles up Chiefs followers
Fans in Kansas City aren’t completely happy. Kristian Fulton grabbed DeAndre Hopkins on a third-down deep ball from Patrick Mahomes. But officers dominated that the ball wasn’t catchable and declined to flag Fulton for move interference.
The Chargers have the ball again after a Chiefs punt. Kansas City leads, 6-0 with 4:45 earlier than halftime.
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