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Chargers-Chiefs: Shocker! Patrick Mahomes, KC pull out another close win to capture AFC West crown

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Chargers-Chiefs: Shocker! Patrick Mahomes, KC pull out another close win to capture AFC West crown

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 good luck when you have all-time greats in those spots.

But this Chiefs streak in close games is still unbelievable. This time, they doinked in 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 a lead with less than five minutes remaining on Sunday night, but a Chiefs win seemed inevitable. Mahomes has come through in that situation so often 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 it great, but it hit the left upright and caromed in. The Chiefs won 19-17, and fans around the NFL wondered again how they keep pulling off victories like that every week.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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 win, 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 battled hard and had a shot to win. But, like everyone else who thought they had Mahomes and the Chiefs on the ropes, they just ended up with a heartbreaking loss in the end.

The Chargers had a rough first half on offense and didn’t score before halftime. They were down two key players to injury — running back J.K. Dobbins and receiver Ladd McConkey — and it showed. The Chargers also lost quarterback Justin Herbert briefly when he landed hard on a hit, and also tight end Will Dissly on the final play of the half.

The Chargers were lacking anyone who could make a play around Herbert. But to start the second half, the offense woke up. Gus Edwards scored on a 3-yard touchdown and despite being outplayed through the first half, the Chargers trailed just 13-7 early in the third quarter.

The Chargers got a stop, pressuring Mahomes on a third-and-1 into throwing an incompletion, then a quick drive that ended with Herbert hitting Quentin Johnston for a touchdown. Suddenly the Chargers led 14-13 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.

As with just about every other Chiefs game this season, Kansas City wasn’t going to blow out its opponent.

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The Chiefs regained the lead in the fourth quarter on a field goal, but had a shot at more. On third-and-16 Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins deep downfield, but Chargers defensive back Cam Hart arrived with the ball and put a big hit on Hopkins to knock the ball loose and incomplete. That came right 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 the lead back. They got into Chiefs territory and kicked a field goal with 4:35 to go. Mahomes has overcome plenty of deficits in far less time than that to work with.

The Chiefs seemed to be in some trouble but Mahomes made a great play on third down, contorting his body to get a pass downfield to Xavier Worthy for a first down. In most of the Chiefs’ close wins, there’s usually at least one play like that from Mahomes that not many other quarterbacks can make.

The rest of the game played out as many others in the Chiefs’ streak. They methodically picked up some more first downs to bleed the clock. Mahomes made a defender miss 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 could run out most of the rest of the clock and set up a field goal on the final play. Wright almost missed it but as usual, the Chiefs got the bounce they needed.

The Chiefs weren’t great the entire game, which has been a theme of their season. But when the Chiefs needed one drive to win it, they marched downfield as usual and got the game-winning points. It shouldn’t be possible to win 15 straight one-score games.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER32 updates

  • Final: Chiefs 19, Chargers 17

    The Chiefs have now won their ninth straight division title.

    Chargers stats

    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

    Chiefs stats

    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 banks in the game-winner from 31 yards out! The Chiefs have now officially won the AFC West.

    The Chiefs beat the Chargers 19-17.

  • Mahomes to Kelce to stay alive

    Patrick Mahomes scrambles perfectly, and then hit Travis Kelce for a first down. The Chargers were so close …

  • Chiefs in position at 2 minute warning

    Of course, Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs where they need to be at the 2 minute warning. They’re at the 20-yard line looking at a 3rd & 7 when we come back.

  • The Chargers nearly stuffed 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 back in front

    The Chargers’ drive stalled out in Chiefs territory, but they’re back in the lead now late in the fourth quarter after a Dicker field goal.

    Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will get the ball back now with 4:35 left in the game trailing by a single point.

  • Chiefs 16, Chargers 14

    Hopkins nearly had a catch at 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 in the lead again.

  • End 3: Chargers 14, Chiefs 13

    The Chiefs are driving now, and will have a 3rd & 3 at the Chargers’ 35 yard line when we come 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 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 in scoring position right away

    Justin Herbert took a deep shot to Quentin Johnston, and they drew 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 will get the ball right back after forcing a three-and-out, and they now suddenly have a chance to take the lead after being shutout in the first half.

  • Touchdown, Chargers

    The Chargers are finally on the board. Gus Edwards punched in a short touchdown run out of the break to cap a very solid drive that lasted nearly eight minutes. The Chiefs lead 13-7 now midway through the third.

  • Justin Herbert is dealing on their first drive of the third quarter, and the Chargers are now in scoring position.

  • Justin Herbert starting the second half

    The Chargers have the ball to start the second half, and Justin Herbert is back out there after his injury scare late in the second quarter. He looks to be OK so far.

  • Chiefs 13, Chargers 0: Key halftime stats

    Kansas City’s defense is the story through one half as it has been throughout the season. Here are the key halftime stats as 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)
    Chiefs 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 touchdown
    Travis Kelce: 3 catches for 29 yards

    Chargers total offense: 127 yards on 4.7 yards per play
    Chiefs total offense: 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 by backup Taylor Heinicke for one play after a hit late in the second second quarter left him reeling and grabbing his left leg on the ground. But he returned to the field for the Chargers’ next possession that started with 47 seconds left in the half.

    The Chargers failed to score and go into halftime with a 13-0 deficit. But their star quarterback appears to be OK after an injury scare.

  • Chiefs find end zone for 13-0 lead

    It took more than 29 minutes, but we have 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’s 47 seconds remaining in the half, and Justin Herbert’s status is unclear.

  • Justin Herbert replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke

    Justin Herbert grabbed his left thigh after the hit and remained on the ground as trainers tended to him. He eventually got up and limped off the field alongside trainers, but was replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke for the next play.

    The Chargers failed to convert on third-and-20 and punted after one play with Heinicke at quarterback. The Chiefs took over possession after a punt with 3:28 remaining in the game. Herbert’s status wasn’t initially clear.

  • Justin Herbert’s down after a hit from Nick Bolton

    Justin Herbert is slow to get up and being attended to by trainers after a hit from Nick Bolton. His status isn’t immediately clear.

  • No PI call riles up Chiefs fans

    Fans in Kansas City aren’t happy. Kristian Fulton grabbed DeAndre Hopkins on a third-down deep ball from Patrick Mahomes. But officials ruled that the ball wasn’t catchable and declined to flag Fulton for pass interference.

    The Chargers have the ball back after a Chiefs punt. Kansas City leads, 6-0 with 4:45 before halftime.

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