In a season defined by nail-biters, the Kansas City Chiefs added another dramatic chapter to their 2024 campaign, edging out the Los Angeles Chargers 19-17 at Arrowhead Stadium. The win not only extended the Chiefs’ remarkable streak of one-score victories to 15 games over the past two seasons but also secured their ninth consecutive AFC West title, inching closer to the NFL record of 11 held by the New England Patriots.
The hero of the night was third-string kicker Matthew Wright, whose 31-yard field goal clanged off the left upright and somehow found its way through the posts as time expired. Head coach Andy Reid, whose team seems to specialize in cardiac finishes, quipped, “I don’t need to schedule a stress test anytime soon. Coaching this team provides enough of those every week.”
The Chiefs (12-1) dominated the first half, shutting out the Chargers (8-5) and taking a 13-0 lead into the locker room. Kansas City’s defense forced five punts on the Chargers’ first five possessions, and Patrick Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins for a touchdown to cap off a 77-yard drive just before halftime.
The Chargers came alive in the second half. A 13-play, 79-yard drive ended with Gus Edwards’ 3-yard touchdown run, and a 39-yard pass interference penalty on Kansas City safety Justin Reid helped set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston. The Chargers took their first lead of the game, 14-13, midway through the fourth quarter.
After a Chiefs field goal put them back on top, Cameron Dicker’s 37-yard kick swung the lead back to Los Angeles, 17-16, with just over four minutes left.
With the game on the line, Mahomes orchestrated a 4 1/2-minute drive that showcased his poise under pressure. Facing third-and-10, he connected with rookie receiver Xavier Worthy for 14 yards and scrambled for another crucial first down. A spectacular lob to a kneeling Travis Kelce after the two-minute warning positioned the Chiefs perfectly to run the clock down before Wright’s game-winning attempt.
“Pat keeps finding ways to get it done, no matter the situation,” Reid said. “That’s why he’s the best in the game.”
Wright’s game-winner marked the third time this season the Chiefs have used a different kicker to seal a victory as time expired — a feat unmatched in NFL history. “The doink wasn’t planned, but I’ll take it,” Wright joked after the game.
The Chiefs’ nine consecutive AFC West titles have cemented their dominance in the division, with no real challenger in sight. Kansas City also improved to an astonishing 10-0 in one-score games this season, underscoring their ability to thrive under pressure.
Patrick Mahomes passed Dan Marino for the most passing yards in the first eight years of a career. Travis Kelce: Became the fastest tight end to reach 12,000 career receiving yards, trailing only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten in total yardage.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert missed one play after a hard hit by Nick Bolton, while TE Will Dissly and WR Jalen Reagor left with injuries. For the Chiefs, T DJ Humphries exited in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
Chargers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday. Chiefs travel to Cleveland to face the Browns.
With another dramatic victory under their belt, the Chiefs continue to build on their legacy as one of the NFL’s most dominant and resilient teams, eyeing a potential third consecutive Super Bowl title.
