The Kansas City Chiefs secured their ninth consecutive AFC West title by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers with a game-winning field goal.
This victory, with a final score of 19-17, brought the Chiefs to 12-1 for the season, giving them not only the division title but also positioning them to claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC over the Buffalo Bills. On the other hand, the Chargers now sit at 8-5 as they strive to secure a playoff spot with four games remaining.
This closely contested game featured a lengthy fourth-quarter drive by the Chargers’ offense led by Justin Herbert, consuming 8 minutes and 29 seconds of the clock but resulting in a field goal that brought the score to 17-16.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
With ample time remaining, the Chiefs’ offense, led by Patrick Mahomes, answered back with a decisive drive that culminated in a game-winning field goal at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
During a critical 3rd-and-10 play, Mahomes managed to evade Chargers’ pressure and connect with rookie receiver Xavier Worthy for a crucial 14-yard gain, sustaining the drive.
Subsequent plays by Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, and Kareem Hunt advanced the Chiefs closer to the end zone, ultimately setting up kicker Matthew Wright for the game-deciding field goal after his successful earlier kicks.
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On a crucial 3rd-and-7 from the Chargers’ 20-yard line, Mahomes orchestrated a remarkable play, escaping pressure, and finding Travis Kelce for a first down, allowing the Chiefs to drain the clock and secure the win.
Prior to Wright’s successful kick, which hit the left upright but stayed true, NBC’s Mike Tirico exclaimed from the broadcast booth, “Doink for the division!”
While the game saw a lack of touchdowns early on, DeAndre Hopkins found the end zone just before halftime, catching a pass from Mahomes and advancing nine yards to increase the lead to 13-0.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands off to running back Gus Edwards (4) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
The Chargers struggled early in the game, failing to gain momentum with five consecutive punts. However, they bounced back in the second half with two touchdown drives to make it a competitive AFC West matchup.
In the first drive of the second half, Herbert orchestrated a 13-play drive culminating in a rushing touchdown by Gus Edwards, who filled in for the injured J.K. Dobbins. Subsequently, Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston for a four-yard touchdown, taking a 14-13 lead after forcing a Chiefs’ three-and-out.
Mahomes led the Chiefs with 210 passing yards, rushing for an additional 17 yards and a touchdown. Pacheco contributed to the rushing game as well.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
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Kelce led the Chiefs with 45 receiving yards, followed by Worthy with 41 yards and Hopkins with 32 yards. For the Chargers, Josh Palmer recorded 78 receiving yards, while Stone Smartt and Quentin Johnston also made significant contributions.
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