Chiefs comeback against Chargers/ Kansas City vs Chargers result/ Mahomes and Kelce lead Chiefs to victory/ Newslooks/ INGLEWOOD/ CALIFORNIA/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 17-10 comeback win over the Los Angeles Chargers, overcoming an early 10-0 deficit. Mahomes threw for 245 yards, including a touchdown to Xavier Worthy, while Kelce set a franchise record for career receptions. The Chiefs’ defense played a pivotal role, keeping the Chargers scoreless in the second half as Kansas City improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2020.
Chiefs Comeback Over Chargers Fueled by Mahomes and Kelce: Quick Looks
- Early Deficit: Kansas City trailed 10-0 in the first quarter but rallied to win.
- Mahomes’ Performance: Patrick Mahomes threw for 245 yards and one touchdown.
- Kelce Sets Record: Travis Kelce had seven receptions, surpassing Tony Gonzalez for the franchise’s career receptions record.
- Defense Shines: The Chiefs’ defense dominated, holding the Chargers scoreless after the first quarter.
- Critical Stop: Kansas City stopped the Chargers on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter to preserve their lead.
Mahomes, Kelce Lead Chiefs’ Comeback Win Over Chargers, 17-10
Deep Look:
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce once again delivered when it mattered most, helping the Kansas City Chiefs rally from an early 10-0 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 17-10 on Sunday. The victory improved the Chiefs to 4-0 for the first time since 2020, as Mahomes threw for 245 yards and one touchdown while the defense played a pivotal role in the comeback win.
Despite facing an early double-digit deficit, Mahomes remained calm and confident, knowing his team had plenty of time to fight back. “We weren’t playing good, but the best thing is, our defense is really good,” Mahomes said. “They know how to shut the door and keep us in games.”
Early Struggles for the Chiefs
The game started rough for Kansas City, as they quickly found themselves trailing 10-0 just over 11 minutes into the contest. A pair of turnovers, including a fumble by running back Carson Steele and an interception by Mahomes, allowed the Chargers to score on back-to-back possessions.
Los Angeles capitalized on Steele’s fumble with a 10-play drive, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Ladd McConkey. After the interception, Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton returned the ball 29 yards, setting up Cameron Dicker’s 50-yard field goal, which extended the lead to 10-0.
Adding to the Chiefs’ troubles, wide receiver Rashee Rice was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a potential season-ending knee injury while pursuing Fulton during the interception return.
Chiefs Defense Dominates
Despite the early struggles, the Chiefs’ defense kept them in the game, holding the Chargers scoreless after the first quarter. Kansas City forced the Chargers to punt on four of their eight second-half possessions, including a critical stop in the fourth quarter. After driving to the Kansas City 3-yard line, Herbert and the Chargers faced fourth-and-1 but couldn’t convert. The Chiefs’ defensive line, led by Chris Jones and rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah, applied pressure, forcing an incompletion.
“We knew they were a little beat up on the O-line, and there might be some communication, chemistry issues. We were able to take advantage of that down the stretch,” said Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill.
The Chiefs’ defense sacked Herbert twice and hit him 10 times throughout the game, taking advantage of injuries to Los Angeles tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Herbert completed all seven of his passes in the first quarter but struggled the rest of the way, finishing 16 of 27 for 179 yards and one touchdown.
Mahomes and Kelce Lead the Comeback
The Chiefs’ offense eventually found its rhythm, with Mahomes connecting on a 54-yard touchdown pass to rookie Xavier Worthy late in the second quarter. Worthy, a speedy first-round draft pick, blew past the Chargers’ defense on a go route, bringing the Chiefs back into the game.
After the Chargers’ failed fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter, Kansas City took the lead with a 2-yard touchdown run by Samaje Perine, putting them ahead 17-10.
Kelce, who had been relatively quiet in previous games, had a season-high seven receptions for 89 yards, surpassing Tony Gonzalez for the most career receptions in Chiefs franchise history. His connection with Mahomes proved vital, as they continuously made key plays to sustain drives.
Mahomes spread the ball around, completing passes to six different receivers, while the offense found its rhythm after a sluggish start. “We just needed to get into a groove, and once we did, I knew we’d be fine,” said Mahomes.
Chargers’ Offense Falters
For the Chargers, the game marked a significant step back from their first two wins of the season, where their running game was key. Against Kansas City, Los Angeles managed only 55 rushing yards, averaging a meager 2.3 yards per carry. Despite Justin Herbert’s efforts, the offense could not overcome Kansas City’s relentless pressure, especially after Herbert’s high ankle sprain limited his mobility.
“Got to get Justin just a little bit more time,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Some of the throws he made, some of the plays he made were incredible. Got to look at how we respond from here.”
What’s Next
The Chiefs, now sitting atop the AFC West, return home to face the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Chargers will look to regroup during their upcoming bye week before visiting Denver on Oct. 14.
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