The Chargers had everything going their way for the first three quarters. Then one miscommunication in the fourth quarter cost the entire game. The Defense played good overall but there were plays that needed to be made. At the end of the day, Kansas City is still the team to beat in the AFC West and the Chargers still have a ways to go.
The Los Angeles Chargers looked to make a statement in the first quarter. They were moving the ball at will. Mike Williams was involved early and often. After only having two receptions in week 1, he had 6 receptions for 84 yards in the first half. Furthermore, FB Zander Horvath got his 2nd TD in two weeks. After the Chargers gained a 10 point lead, Patrick Mahomes made a spectacular play in the 2nd quarter. He was able to avoid LB Drue Tranquil and make a sidearm touchdown pass to get the Chiefs on the board. The Chargers led 10-7 going into halftime.
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Chargers came out strong in the second half as well, scoring on the opening drive of the third quarter. Mike Williams makes a one handed catch in the back of the endzone to give the Chargers a 17-7 lead. On the following drive for KC, Asante Samuel seems to make an interception on Patrick Mahomes. However, the play was overturned and the drive was kept alive. A few plays later, Mahomes would find WR Justin Watson in the endzone to make the score 17-14.
Near the end of the 3rd, Travis Kelce takes a short pass from Mahomes to the 3 yard line. Derwin James makes an amazing tackle that completely stops Kelce’s momentum. Picking him up by his legs and slamming him to the ground like a finishing move in a wrestling match. This led to a defensive stand by the Chargers forcing KC to kick the FG to tie the game 17-17 at the start of the fourth quarter.
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Where it all fell apart
Los Angeles had another strong drive early in the fourth quarter. With two back to back plays to TE Gerald Everett, they got the ball to the KC 3 yard line. Everett signaled to the sideline to be subbed out. However, the Chargers were running an up-tempo offense and kept him in the game. On the very next play, he was targeted on what looked to be an option route. Unfortunately, Everett’s fatigue caused him to run a bad route and Herbert made a bad throw. This resulted in a pick 6 and essentially sealed the game.
Herbert playing through pain
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Later in the fourth, Justin Herbert took a hit which seemed to have cracked his ribs. Herbert showed grit playing through the entire game even while injured. After wincing in pain on a 3rd and 1 play where he threw the ball away, he came back on the next play with a 40 yard strike on 4th and 1. Herbert would finish the drive with a touchdown pass to Josh Palmer with a minute left in the game. Head Coach Brandon Staley said that Herbert was ok initially in the postgame interview. As of Friday afternoon, X-rays have already came back negative via Mike Garafolo. This is goods news as this does not look to be a long-term issue. After this Thursday night loss on Primetime, the Chargers will have a 10 day rest before they face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.