Chiefs Down Chargers With Full-Team Effort In Division Win

The Kansas City Chiefs downed the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. In what was their second consecutive week with a division win at home, KC utilized a full-team effort to pounce on Los Angeles. The top offensive stars dazzled in a major way. Meanwhile, the Chiefs improved defense stepped up in key moments when they absolutely needed to.

In all five previous meetings between Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, the Chiefs and Chargers games were decided by one score. Yet, Kansas City was able to use an electric second quarter on offense and a dominant defensive performance in the second half to remain in control. In the end, the Chargers ran out of gas. The Chiefs were able to win this one by 14 points, with a final score of 31-17.

What were the top moments or items that stood out from the Chiefs in this victory? We will list our main takeaways from Kansas City’s sixth win of the season. Let’s kick it off.

Mahomes, Kelce Shine With Season-Best Performances

It sometimes seems so easy for Mahomes and his top target, Travis Kelce. But on Sunday afternoon, they each finished with their best performance of the season so far. The game against Chicago was pretty stout for the quarterback-tight end duo. Though, the efficiency and pure volume of success was on full display against the Chargers.

Mahomes and Kelce connected 12 times total against Los Angeles. The only pass targeted to Kelce that was not completed, was due to a drop that Kelce was visibly frustrated with. Yet, that was a challenging grab to come up with. In all, Kelce accumulated 179 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. Mahomes finished with 424 passing yards and four passing touchdowns, to boot. Both of those yardage totals were each a season-best for each category so far this season.

Most of all, Kelce was able to shake free and find soft spots in between zones when Kansas City needed to move the ball and extend drives. On the other hand, Mahomes worked quickly and confidently, showing complete trust in his weapons and read the field extremely well. Neither player has been completely bad this year. But, a slower start to the year made this performance truly special for both Chiefs offensive stars.

Defensive Depth Comes Through In Crucial Moments

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has enjoyed a tremendous start to the season. Though, the Chargers are always a stiff test, no matter what their record or recent film shows. Kansas City was certainly a bit out of sorts during parts of the first half. LA pass catchers were able to create immense separation and create busts in coverage. While the routes they were running were simple, Kansas City needed to make necessary adjustments.

Those came immediately after halftime. During attempted throws down the field, Herbert was forced to be extra precise with his ball placement. Even if he was just a hair off, Chiefs defenders were able to counteract it. We saw some key defensive depth players shine in crucial moments for the Kansas City defense.

In moments like this against the pass, a name like Mike Edwards stood out a few times. His particular pass breakup on a third down in the second half set up a punt early in the fourth quarter. Later on, Willie Gay also had a pass breakup on a third down, swatting the ball away with authority. Not only did it force another Chargers punt, it led to a key punt return by Kansas City. More on that in a second.

Elsewhere, Drue Tranquill had a late sack. This was special for him for a couple of reasons. Obviously, Tranquill made a major difference late in the game, against his former team. Bryan Cook intercepted a Herbert pass to end the game just afterwards. But also, Tranquill was able to step up at linebacker after Nick Bolton left with a wrist injury.

Finally, the Chiefs debut of Charles Omenihu was truly spectacular. He had to wait until Week 7 after serving a six-game suspension. The wait was well worth it, however. Omenihu notched a sack, two quarterback hits and batted a pass when Los Angeles had a 3rd and goal, leading to a tipped interception for L’Jarius Sneed.

Welcome Back, Mecole

There was a mixed reaction when it was announced that Mecole Hardman was returning to the Chiefs via a trade with the New York Jets. Admittedly, I was one of the few that questioned the move. But right off the bat, Hardman made me eat my words, due to the difference he made late in this game for Kansas City.

We mentioned that the Willie Gay pass breakup set up a key punt return late. Hardman fielded that punt in the middle of the field at his own 15-yard line with just over six minutes to play. The Chiefs were leading by seven at the time. Hardman worked his way up the field, then weaved towards the KC sideline, picking up 50 yards on the return.

This allowed the Chiefs a chance at putting the Chargers away with a scoring drive on a short field. Kansas City did, in fact, get that successful scoring drive, extending the lead and eliminating any hope that LA might have had left. But just before the last KC touchdown, it was Hardman making a difference, once again. On a third down, he caught a pass on a crossing route in the red zone and got just enough for a first down. This gave the Chiefs a new set of downs inside the 10-yard line. Isiah Pacheco would score on a screen pass to officially lock it up. It was an exhilarating ending, due in large part to the spark of Mecole Hardman.