The Kansas City Chiefs will always win more than half of their close games as long as Andy Reid is coaching and Patrick Mahomes is playing quarterback. It’s not just luck when you have all-time great players in those places.
But this Chiefs streak in close games is still incredible. This time they set up a field goal for the win.
The Chiefs extended their NFL record by winning their 15th straight game by one score. The Los Angeles Chargers took a lead with less than five minutes to go on Sunday night, but a Chiefs victory seemed inevitable. Mahomes has been in that situation so many times that we take it for granted, and he did it again with a long drive that ended with a game-winning 31-yard field goal by Matthew Wright on the final play of the game. Wright didn’t hit the ball great, but he hit the left flank and struck home. The Chiefs won 19-17, and fans across the NFL were once again wondering how they could pull off wins like that every week.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws under pressure from Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) in the first half on Sunday night. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
With the victory, the Chiefs clinched their ninth straight 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 chance to win. But like everyone else who thought they had Mahomes and the Chiefs on the hook, they ultimately ended up with a heartbreaking loss.
The Chargers had a tough first half on offense and failed to score before halftime. They were without two key players due to injury – running back JK Dobbins and receiver Ladd McConkey – and it showed. The Chargers also briefly lost quarterback Justin Herbert when he landed hard on a hit, and also committed tight end Will Dissly on the final play of the half.
The Chargers didn’t have anyone who could make a play around Herbert. But to start the second half, the offense woke up. Gus Edwards scored on a three-yard touchdown and despite being outplayed in the first half, the Chargers trailed only 13-7 early in the third quarter.
The Chargers got a stop and pressured Mahomes on a third-and-1 to throw an incompletion, then a quick drive ended when Herbert hit Quentin Johnston for a touchdown. Suddenly, the Chargers led 14-13 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
As with virtually every other Chiefs game this season, Kansas City had no intention of shutting down its opponent.
Chiefs and Chargers have the lead in the 4th quarter
The Chiefs regained the lead in the fourth quarter on a field goal, but had a chance for more. On third-and-16, Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins deep downfield, but Chargers defensive back Cam Hart arrived with the ball and hit a big hit on Hopkins to knock the ball loose and incomplete. That came moments after guard Trey Smith took an unnecessary 15-yard roughness penalty, changing the situation from third-and-1 to third-and-16.
This allowed the Chargers to come down the field and take back the lead. They got into Chiefs territory and kicked a field goal with 4:35 to go. Mahomes has overcome many deficits in much less time.
The Chiefs appeared to be in trouble, but Mahomes made a great play on third down, twisting his body to get a pass to Xavier Worthy for a first down. Most of the Chiefs’ close wins usually involve at least one similar play by Mahomes that not many other quarterbacks can make.
The rest of the game played out like many others in the Chiefs’ streak. They methodically picked up several more first downs to bleed the clock. Mahomes made a miss from a defender and hit Travis Kelce on a big third down after the two-minute warning, and because the Chargers had used all their timeouts, the Chiefs were able to run out most of the rest of the clock and create a setting up a field goal on the last play. Wright almost missed it, but as usual the Chiefs got the bounce they needed.
The Chiefs weren’t great all game, which was a theme of their season. But when the Chiefs needed one drive to win it, they marched down the field as usual and got the winning points. It shouldn’t be possible to win fifteen consecutive games by one score.
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Final: Chiefs 19, Chargers 17
The Chiefs have now won their ninth straight division title.
Charger statistics
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
Statistics of the chefs
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 scores the game winner from 31 yards! The Chiefs have now officially won the AFC West.
The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 19-17.
Mahomes to Kelce to stay alive
Patrick Mahomes scrambles perfectly and then hits Travis Kelce for a first down. The Chargers were so close…
Chiefs in position after 2 minutes warning
Of course, Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs where they need to be at the 2-minute warning. They’re on the 20 yard line looking at a 3rd and 7 coming back.
The Chargers nearly stopped the Chiefs on third down, but Mahomes found a wide-open Xavier Worthy in the middle of the field for a 14-yard gain to keep their drive alive.
Chargers at the front again
The Chargers’ drive stalled in Chiefs territory, but they are now back in the lead late in the fourth quarter on a Dicker field goal.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will now get the ball back with 4:35 left in the game, trailing by one point.
Leaders 16, Chargers 14
Hopkins almost had a catch on the goal line, but it was knocked out at the last second. So Matthew Wright comes out to hit a 50-yarder, and the Chiefs are back in the lead.
End 3: Chargers 14, Chiefs 13
The Chiefs are driving now and will have a 3rd and 3 at the Chargers 35 yard line when we get back from the break. If they can’t convert, we’re looking at a very long field goal attempt from Matthew Wright at best.
Chargers take the lead
And just like that, the Chargers are leading the way. 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 up 14-13.
Chargers immediately in scoring position
Justin Herbert shot deep to Quentin Johnston, and they had a pass interference call on their first play. That’s a nearly 40-yard penalty, and the Chargers are suddenly in scoring position.
The Chargers get the ball right back after forcing a three-and-out, and they now suddenly have a chance to take the lead after a first-half shutout.
Touchdown, chargers
The Chargers are finally on the board. Gus Edwards scored a short touchdown run out of the break to cap off a very solid drive that lasted almost eight minutes. The Chiefs now lead 13-7 midway through the third.
Justin Herbert is on their first drive of the third quarter and the Chargers are now in scoring position.
Justin Herbert starts the second half
The Chargers have the ball to start the second half, and Justin Herbert is back after his injury late in the second quarter. So far he seems fine.
Chiefs 13, Chargers 0: Key halftime stats
Kansas City’s defense is the story of one half, as it has been all season. Here are the key halftime stats while the Chiefs hold 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 touchdown and no turnovers
Chargers runners: 8 carries for 34 yards (Taylor Heinicke leads with 12 yards) Main 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 TD Travis Kelce: 3 catches for 29 yards
Chargers’ Total Violation: 127 yards on 4.7 yards per play Chief’s Total Violation: 187 yards on 4.9 yards per play
Chargers first downs: 6 Chiefs first downs: 13
Justin Herbert is back
Justin Herbert is back. The Chargers quarterback was replaced on one play by backup Taylor Heinicke after a hit late in the second second quarter staggered him and caught his left leg on the ground. But he returned to the field for the Chargers’ next possession, which started with 47 seconds left in the half.
The Chargers failed to score and went into halftime trailing 13-0. But their star quarterback appears to be fine after an injury.
Chiefs find end zone for 13-0 lead
It took over 29 minutes, but we got our first touchdown. Kansas City caps a 77-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to DeAndre Hopkins, and the Chiefs extend their lead to 13-0.
There are 47 seconds left in the half and Justin Herbert’s status is unclear.
Justin Herbert replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke
Justin Herbert clutched his left thigh after the goal and remained on the ground as trainers attended to him. He eventually got up and limped off the field with the trainers, but was replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke for the next play.
The Chargers failed to convert on third-and-20 and punted on one play with Heinicke at quarterback. The Chiefs took control of the ball on a punt with 3:28 left in the game. Herbert’s status was initially unclear.
Justin Herbert is down after a goal from Nick Bolton
Justin Herbert is slow to get up and is attended to by trainers after a goal from Nick Bolton. His status is not immediately clear.
No PI call makes Chiefs fans angry
Fans in Kansas City are not happy. Kristian Fulton picked up DeAndre Hopkins on a third-down deep ball from Patrick Mahomes. But the officials ruled the ball uncatchable and refused to flag Fulton for pass interference.
The Chargers have the ball back after a Chiefs punt. Kansas City leads 6-0 with 4:45 left before halftime.
