The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 on Sunday evening, sweeping the season sequence in opposition to their AFC West rival. Here’s what that you must know:

  • Down 27-23 late within the fourth quarter, Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs on a six-play, 75-yard drive, capped off with a 17-yard landing move to tight finish Travis Kelce.
  • The Chiefs rallied after being down 20-13 at halftime, outscoring the Chargers 17-7 within the second half.
  • The Chiefs enhance to 8-2, extending their AFC West lead. Kansas City stays the No. 1 seed within the AFC.

The Athletic’s on the spot evaluation:

Chiefs thrive regardless of lacking a number of receivers

No Mecole Hardman, the Chiefs’ longest-tenured receiver. No JuJu Smith-Schuster, the crew’s new No. 1 receiver. No Kadarius Toney, the crew’s latest receiver, a dynamic addition to the league’s most potent offense. Even in uncommon and unfavorable circumstances, Mahomes, the league’s most proficient quarterback, orchestrated yet one more dramatic comeback in opposition to the Chargers, the divisional rival he has overwhelmed in such a method time after time after time.

In the sport’s last minute, Mahomes threw the game-winning landing to Kelce, who simply occurs to be the league’s finest tight finish. Mahomes by no means made a mistake in Sunday’s recreation and he completed his thrilling efficiency with 329 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers. — Taylor

Chiefs’ secondary continues to enhance

Much of the second half of this season is about how properly and how briskly the Chiefs’ rookies of their secondary progress and enhance. Sometimes, the journey is a bit tough, which was the case late in Sunday’s recreation. Without four-year veteran security Juan Thornhill, who missed the second half with a calf harm, the Chiefs featured 4 rookies in opposition to the Chargers’ passing assault — cornerbacks Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson and security Bryan Cook. In the primary matchup, Watson made the sport’s largest play, an interception he returned 99 yards for a landing.

But late within the fourth quarter Sunday, Williams was tasked with guardian star receiver Keenan Allen on the Chargers’ third-and-18 play. Allen adjusted to the deep move from star quarterback Justin Herbert higher than Williams, as he made a formidable reception for 46 yards. The Chargers drive ended when Cook surrendered a 6-yard landing move from Herbert to receiver Joshau Palmer. — Taylor

Chargers’ protection comes up quick

The Chargers’ protection had some brilliant moments on this recreation, however the unit couldn’t provide you with a cease when it was wanted most. They tried to remove Kelce on the ultimate drive by placing Derwin James on him. James was referred to as for a holding penalty on a third-and-1 whereas in protection on Kelce. And later within the drive, Kelce beat James for the go-ahead TD on a crossing route. Best on finest, and Kelce got here out on prime. The Chargers gave up 485 yards of offense to the Chiefs. — Popper

Chargers’ offense struggles to search out consistency

Offensively, the Chargers as soon as once more struggled with consistency. Herbert had a high-quality recreation and led the Chargers on a go-ahead landing drive late within the fourth quarter. But these have been the one factors the Chargers scored within the second half. The Chargers additionally needed to accept a subject purpose from contained in the 5-yard line late within the first half. Allen offered the spark the crew was in search of on that facet of the ball. It was not sufficient. The Chargers are nonetheless looking for an entire efficiency on offense. — Popper

Highlight of the sport

Key stat

Mahomes now has 45 profession move touchdowns to Kelce. It is the third-most by any quarterback-tight finish duo over a five-season span (2018-22) all-time (excludes overlapping spans).

Required studying

(Photo: Robert Hanashiro / USA Today)



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