In a Week 4 AFC West showdown, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes demonstrated his veteran poise, leading the Chiefs to a gritty 17-10 comeback win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes, making his 100th regular-season start, passed for 245 yards and a touchdown while rekindling his strong connection with tight end Travis Kelce. The victory pushed the Chiefs to a perfect 4-0 for the first time since 2020, marking their sixth consecutive win over the Chargers.
The game didn’t start smoothly for Kansas City, who quickly fell behind 10-0 a little over 11 minutes into the first quarter. The Chiefs’ woes began with Mahomes throwing his fifth interception of the season, followed by a fumble from Carson Steele. These miscues allowed the Chargers to capitalize with 10 points, including a short field goal and a touchdown. Yet, Mahomes remained unfazed, aware that his team had plenty of time to recover.
As the game progressed, Kansas City’s defense became the unsung hero, stifling the Chargers’ offense after their quick start. The Chargers struggled with consistency, going three-and-out on four of their eight possessions from the second quarter onward. Despite injuries to key offensive players like left tackle Rashawn Slater and rookie standout Joe Alt, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was unable to find a rhythm, especially while nursing a high ankle sprain.
The pivotal moment came early in the fourth quarter when the Chargers, trailing 10-7, threatened to regain the lead. They drove deep into Chiefs territory, reaching the Kansas City 3-yard line. However, the Chiefs’ defense stood firm. A crucial fourth-and-1 stop, with pressure from Chris Jones and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, forced an incomplete pass intended for tight end Hayden Hurst, squashing the Chargers’ scoring opportunity.
On the following possession, the Chiefs capitalized. Samaje Perine capped a seven-minute drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving Kansas City a 17-10 lead. The Chargers’ offense sputtered the rest of the way, unable to mount a serious challenge.
Mahomes spread the ball effectively, completing passes to six different players. Kelce was his top target, recording a season-high seven receptions for 89 yards, surpassing franchise legend Tony Gonzalez as the Chiefs’ all-time leader in receptions. Xavier Worthy also played a key role, hauling in three catches for 73 yards, including a 54-yard bomb from Mahomes in the second quarter to get the Chiefs on the board.
Despite the victory, the Chiefs dealt with a significant loss as wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered a potential season-ending knee injury in the first quarter. The injury occurred during an interception return, where Rice collided with Mahomes as they both pursued Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton.
The Chargers, now 2-2, struggled mightily in the ground game, managing only 55 rushing yards and averaging a paltry 2.3 yards per carry. After winning their first two games on the strength of their rushing attack, the Chargers were stifled by a stout Kansas City defense, leaving Herbert with limited options, especially given his limited mobility.
For Mahomes, this win marked another milestone in his illustrious career. In his 100th start, he displayed the leadership and resilience that has made him one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. But Mahomes was quick to credit the defense, recognizing their critical role in shutting down the Chargers when it mattered most.
With the victory, the Chiefs maintained their momentum as two-time defending Super Bowl champions, further solidifying their dominance over the AFC West and inching closer to another playoff push.
