Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes under pressure from Chargers linebacker Diane Henley (0) in the first half Sunday night. (AP Photo/Ed Jurga)
As long as Andy Reid is coaching and Patrick Mahomes is playing quarterback, the Kansas City Chiefs will win more than half of their close games. It’s not just luck when you have all-time greats in those spots.
But this Chiefs streak in close games is still incredible. This time, they doink on 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 the lead with less than five minutes remaining on Sunday night, but a Chiefs victory seemed inevitable. Mahomes has come through situations so often we take it for granted, and he did it again with a long drive that ended with Matthew Wright’s 31-yard field goal on the game’s final play. Wright didn’t hit it great, but it hit the left straight and caromed. The Chiefs won 19-17, and fans around the NFL once again wondered how they could pull off wins like this every week.
With the win, the Chiefs won their ninth AFC West title. They also have a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills, who lost to the Rams on Sunday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The Chargers fought hard and had a shot to win. But, like everyone else who thought they had Mahomes and the Chiefs on the ropes, they ended up with a heartbreaking loss.
The Chiefs shut out the Chargers before halftime
The Chargers had a poor first half and were unable to score before halftime. They were down two key players to injuries — JK Dobbins and receiver Ladd McConkie — and it showed. The Chargers lost quarterback Justin Herbert briefly when he landed hard on a hit and tight end Will Disley on the last play of the half.
The Chargers lacked someone who could make a play around Herbert. But as the second half began, the guilt started to creep in. Gus Edwards scored on a 3-yard touchdown and, despite being outplayed in the first half, the Chargers trailed just 13-7 early in the third quarter.
The Chargers stalled, forcing Mahomes to throw an incompletion on third-and-1, followed by a quick drive that ended with Herbert hitting Quentin Johnston for a touchdown. The Chargers suddenly led 14-13 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
Like nearly every Chiefs game this season, Kansas City wasn’t going to blow out its opponent.
Heading into 4th quarter, Chargers trade lead
The Chiefs regained the lead with a field goal in the fourth quarter, but the shots were high. Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins deep downfield on third-and-16, but Chargers defensive back Cam Hart came up with the ball and made a big hit on Hopkins that left the ball loose and incomplete. It came just 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 back the lead. They drove into Chiefs territory and kicked a field goal with 4:35 left. Mahomes has overcome a lot of deficits in a lot less time than he has to work.
The Chiefs appeared to be in some trouble but Mahomes made a great play on third down, pushing his body to catch a pass downfield to Xavier Worthy for a first down. In most of the Chiefs’ close wins, there’s usually at least one play from Mahomes that not many other quarterbacks can make.
The rest of the game played out like many others in the Chiefs streak. They systematically picked up a few more first downs to bleed the clock. Mahomes missed a defender and hit Travis Kelce for a big third down after the two-minute warning, and since the Chargers had used all their timeouts, the Chiefs were able to run out most of the clock and set up a field goal. The final drama. Wright almost missed but as usual the Chiefs got the bounce they needed.
The Chiefs weren’t great the whole game, which has been a theme of their season. But when the Chiefs needed a drive to win it, they marched downfield as usual and scored the game-winning points. Winning 15 consecutive one-score games is not possible.
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Final: Chiefs 19, Chargers 17
Chiefs have now won their ninth division title.
Charger stats
Justin Herbert: 21-30 for 213 yards, 1 TD
Gus Edwards: 36 yards, 1 TD on 10 carries
Joshua Palmer: 78 yards on 6 receptions
Key statistics
Patrick Mahomes: 24-of-37 for 210 yards, 1 TD
Isiah Pacheco: 55 yards on 14 carries
Travis Kelce: 5 catches for 45 yards
“Work for the department!”
Matthew Wright Bank game winner from 31 yards! The Chiefs have now officially won the AFC West.
The Chiefs beat the Chargers 19-17.
Kelce to survive Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes scrambles perfectly and then hits Travis Kelce for a first down. The Chargers were so close…
Chiefs are in position at the 2 minute warning
Of course, Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs where they need to have a 2-minute warning. They’re looking at 3rd and 7 at the 20-yard line when we come back.
The Chargers nearly stuffed the Chiefs on third down, but Mahomes found a wide-open Xavier Worthy down the middle of the field for a 14-yard gain to keep their drive alive.
Charger back to front
The Chargers’ drive stalled in Chiefs territory, but they regained the lead in the fourth quarter after a Dicker field goal.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs now get the ball back with 4:35 to play down by one point.
Main 16, Charger 14
Hopkins almost had a catch at the goal line, but it was knocked down at the last second. So Matthew Wright hits a 50-yarder and the Chiefs are back in the lead.
Last 3: Chargers 14, Chiefs 13
The Chiefs are driving now, and it will be 3rd and 3 at the Chargers 35 yard line when we return from the break. If they can’t convert, we’re looking at a very long field goal attempt from Matthew Wright.
Chargers 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.
Chargers immediately in scoring position
Justin Herbert took a deep shot to Quentin Johnston and they called a pass interference on their first play. It’s almost a 40-yard penalty, and the Chargers are suddenly in scoring position.
The Chargers would get the ball back after forcing a three-and-out and now have a chance to take a sudden lead after a first-half shutout.
Touchdown, Chargers
The Chargers are finally on board. Gus Edwards punched in a short touchdown leading off a very tight drive that lasted about eight minutes. The Chiefs led 13-7 midway through the third.
Justin Herbert punts on their first drive of the third quarter, and the Chargers are now in scoring position.
Justin Herbert started the second half
The Chargers had the ball to start the second half, and Justin Herbert returned from his injury scare late in the second quarter. He seems to be doing fine so far.
Chiefs 13, Chargers 0: Key halftime stats
Kansas City’s defense is the story through one half as it has been all season. Here are the key halftime stats as the Chiefs lead 13-0:
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
Charger Runner: 8 carries for 34 yards (Taylor Haynie leads with 12 yards) Main Runners: 10 carries for 42 yards (Isiah Pacio 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 at 4.7 yards per play Total Offense of the Chiefs: 187 yards at 4.9 yards per play
Charger first down: 6 Chiefs first down: 13
Justin Herbert is back
Justin Herbert is back. Chargers quarterback backup Taylor Heinicke was substituted for one game after a concussion late in the second quarter left him with a concussion and left leg on the ground. But he returned to the field for the Chargers’ next possession, which began with 47 seconds left in the half.
The Chargers failed to score and went into halftime with a 13-0 deficit. But their star quarterback appears to be fine after an injury scare.
The Chiefs find the end zone for a 13-0 lead
It took over 29 minutes, but we have our first touchdown. Kansas City capped a 77-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to DeAndre Hopkins, and the Chiefs extended their lead to 13-0.
There are 47 seconds left in the half, and Justin Herbert’s status is unclear.
Backup Taylor Heinicke replaces Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert clutched his left thigh after the hit and fell to the ground as trainers tended to him. He eventually got up and walked off the field with the trainers, but was replaced by backup Taylor Haynie for the next game.
The Chargers failed to convert on third-and-20 and punted after one play with Heinicke at quarterback. The Chiefs took possession after a punt with 3:28 left in the game. Herbert’s condition was initially unclear.
Justin Herbert goes down after a knock from Nick Bolton
Justin Herbert is slow to get up and is being attended to by trainers after Nick Bolton’s injury. His condition was not immediately clear.
No PI calls upset Chiefs fans
Kansas City fans are not happy. Patrick Mahomes’ third-down deep ball by Christian Fulton intercepts DeAndre Hopkins. But the officials ruled that the ball was not catchable and refused to flag Fulton for pass interference.
After a Chiefs punt, the Chargers got the ball back. Kansas City lead, 6-0 with 4:45 before halftime.
