The Los Angeles Chargers held a 10-0 first-quarter lead against the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, but it was not enough. They could not snap a five-game losing streak against its AFC West foes.
“I don’t like to lose … but I wish I could have done better for our guys,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said.
The Chiefs scored 17 unanswered points to defeat the Chargers 17-10 on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished with 245 passing yards and one touchdown.
Kansas City improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2020 and has now won 11 consecutive road victories over Los Angeles.
“I’m proud of our guys for hanging in there. Easily could have gone a different direction there, but the guys supported each other,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
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With the loss, the Chargers enter their much-needed bye week at 2-2 while many players will look to get healthy after an injury-riddled start to the season.
“We prepare throughout the offseason, not just for them, but we know we have to beat them to get to where we’re going. It’s definitely frustrating,” said cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
Los Angeles was shorthanded without key players in Joe Alt (knee), Joey Bosa (hip), Rashawn Slater (Pectoral) and Derwin James (suspension).
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who played while battling a high-ankle sprain, completed 16-of-27 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. However, the offense was slowed by nine total offensive penalties.
“I know I left everything I had out there,” Herbert added. “I felt comfortable, our communication with the training staff has been great all week, but I know that all those guys in the locker room would do the same thing.”
Kansas City rookie running back Carson Steele fumbled on the opening drive for the Chiefs, resulting in Los Angeles marching down the field.
Herbert engineered a 10-play, 74-yard drive that was capped with rookie receiver Ladd McConkey finding the endzone on a seven-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.
Shortly after, Mahomes was intercepted by Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton in the first quarter, but the play resulted in Mahomes sliding into wide receiver Rashee Rice’s knee as both players were attempting to make a tackle.
The injury resulted in Rice being carted off the field. On Thursday, Kansas City placed him on injury reserve. This could be a huge blow to the franchise.
“I feel terrible for [Rice],” Reid said postgame. “We will hope for the best.”
Cameron Dicker converted a 50-yard field goal to give the Chargers an early 10-0 lead in the first period but the Chiefs quickly responded with a score of their own.
Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy hauled in a 54-yard strike from Mahomes in the second quarter to make it 10-7 heading into halftime. Tight end Travis Kelce recorded a season-high seven catches for 89 yards for the Chiefs.
The Chargers offense went cold the rest of the way as Kansas City held running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to only 51 rushing yards on 20 total carries combined.
“We weren’t playing good but I think the best thing is, no one talks about it and they start to now, but our defense is really good,” said Mahomes. “They know how to shut the door and keep us in games. Then they believe that the offense is going to find a way to score enough points at the end.”
Kicker Harrison Butker converted a 37-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-all midway through the third quarter and the Chiefs added one more score in the fourth.
Running back Samaje Perine capped a five-play 60-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Chiefs a 17-10 lead with just over six minutes to play and Los Angeles would not score again.
“We had a chance to do something special and weren’t able to hold onto the rope when it mattered the most,” Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack said.
“There’s a lot of football we can be proud of. But that doesn’t matter,” Mack added. “There’s no moral victories, especially for me. I’m looking to dominate [people] on Sundays.”
The Chargers will enjoy an early season week five bye before traveling to Denver for a week six matchup against the Broncos (2-2) on October 13.
“Got to look at how we respond from here,” Harbaugh said. “It will be like starting the season over again when we come back.”
