In the heart of SoFi Stadium, two AFC West rivals clashed once again, bringing with them years of history and fierce competition. TheKansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have long been at odds, with Kansas City holding a commanding lead in recent years. But this Sunday, the Chargers sought redemption, entering the game with a solid 2-2 record and hungry for an upset. The Chiefs, however, had other plans, looking to extend their dominance in the division and their winning streak against the Chargers.
The early stages of the game painted a grim picture for Kansas City. The Chargers capitalized on the Chiefs’ mistakes, including a fumble by rookie running back Carson Steele, and quickly turned those errors into points. With Justin Herbert under center, despite a high ankle sprain, Los Angeles methodically marched down the field. A pinpoint pass to Ladd McConkey gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead, followed by a 50-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker, stretching the lead to 10-0. It felt like the Chargers had all the momentum, and the Chiefs’ usually dominant offense seemed out of sync.
Video of Rashee Rice injury caused by Patrick Mahomes
But the Chiefs’ story this season has been one of resilience, and Patrick Mahomes was ready to remind everyone why he’s considered one of the best in the game. Entering his 100th regular-season start, Mahomes was calm despite the early deficit. He slowly built up rhythm with his receivers, especially reestablishing his connection with Travis Kelce, who was chasing history of his own. After a shaky start, Mahomes found rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy with a stunning 54-yard touchdown bomb in the third quarter, breathing life back into the Chiefs’ offense.
Kelce, not to be outdone by Mahomes’ deep shot, made a statement of his own. His seven receptions for 89 yards not only helped the Chiefs rally but also secured his place in Kansas City history books. With 922 career receptions, Kelce surpassed Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez as the franchise’s all-time leader in catches. It was a fitting milestone for the two-time Super Bowl champion, further cementing his legacy among the NFL’s all-time great tight ends.
Chiefs’ defense crushes Chargers’ momentum, seals 17-10 victory with key stops and Perine’s game-winning touchdown
As the game progressed, Kansas City’s defense turned up the pressure. Led by defensive stalwart Chris Jones, the Chiefs made life miserable for Herbert, sacking him twice and hitting him a total of 10 times. The Chargers’ offensive line, already depleted due to injuries, couldn’t hold up, and the once-promising Los Angeles offense began to falter.
Despite their early lead, the Chargers missed a golden opportunity to regain control of the game early in the fourth quarter. A drive that took them to Kansas City’s 3-yard line stalled when Herbert’s pass on fourth-and-1 fell incomplete. It was a pivotal moment, as the Chiefs seized the momentum and never looked back.
On the ensuing drive, Kansas City’s running back Samaje Perine powered through for a 2-yard touchdown, capping off a 60-yard march that put the Chiefs ahead for good. The score made it 17-10, completing the Chiefs’ rally from a 10-point deficit and securing their fourth win of the season.
The victory marked Kansas City’s sixth consecutive win over the Chargers and extended their remarkable streak of 11 straight road victories against their AFC West rival, the longest active streak in the NFL. Mahomes, Kelce, and the Chiefs proved once again that no deficit is too large and no opponent too tough for this reigning dynasty.
As Kansas City sets its sights on the Minnesota Vikings next week, they do so with confidence. Meanwhile, the Chargers head into their bye week with plenty of questions to answer before facing the Denver Broncos.
