With 100 starts during the regular season, Patrick Mahomes has experienced a wide range of scenarios.
A little over 11 minutes into Sunday's game, the Kansas City Chiefs trailed 10-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers, yet, Mahomes knew there was still plenty of time to turn the tide.
During a day when he completed passes for 245 yards and a score, rekindling his relationship with Travis Kelce, Mahomes cited his defense as the primary factor behind the Chiefs' 17-10 victory and their first-ever 4-0 start since 2020.
“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, who completed 19 of 29 passes. “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.”
Dominance over the Chargers
The Chargers have lost six straight games to Kansas City. Additionally, it has defeated its AFC West foe 11 times in a row on the road, which is tied for the third-longest winning streak in history for a visiting team.
“I’m proud of our guys for hanging in there. Easily could have gone a different direction there, but the guys supported each other,” coach Andy Reid said.
Following wide receiver Rashee Rice's probable season-ending knee injury in the first quarter, the Chiefs recovered. During an interception return, Rice was struck by Mahomes as both players were chasing Chargers CB Kristian Fulton.
A fumble by Carson Steele and Mahomes' fifth interception of the year allowed the Chargers (2-2) to score ten points, but that was all.
In the last three quarters, Los Angeles was three-and-out on four of its eight possessions. Nevertheless, the Chargers advanced to the Kansas City 3-yard line early in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead, but Justin Herbert's ball intended for the tight end was incomplete. Chris Jones and Felix Anudike-Uzomah applied pressure on fourth-and-1, forcing Hayden Hurst to become incomplete.
Samaje Perine gave Kansas City the lead seven minutes later with a 2-yard touchdown run up the middle. The Chargers, who had won their previous two games thanks to a potent running attack, managed just 55 yards of total offense, averaging 2.3 yards per carry.
“Got to get Justin just a little bit more time. Some of the throws he made, some of the plays he made were incredible,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Got to look at how we respond from here, and it’ll be like starting the season over again when we come back (from the bye week).”
Kelce sets the franchise record
Six players received passes from Mahomes. With a season-high seven receptions for 89 yards, Kelce overtook teammate tight end Tony Gonzalez to establish the franchise record for career receptions.
Xavier Worthy had three receptions for 73 yards, including the Chiefs' first score in the second quarter when he caught a 54-yard ball from Mahomes.
Herbert was playing with restricted mobility due to a high ankle sprain, and Kansas City's defense exploited this by using a patchwork offensive line due to injuries to tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater.
“We were able to create some pressure there in the second quarter and second half, and get those guys going,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “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.”
Jones sacked Herbert twice, and on 31 dropbacks, Herbert was hit ten times. He was 9 of 20 the rest of the way, but in the first quarter, he completed all seven passes.
“They do a good job of getting after the passer. We expected that we knew that, and I thought we were preparing for it,” said Herbert, who was 16 of 27 for 179 yards with a touchdown. “I thought the offensive line did a great job stepping up, blocking, doing everything they needed to do, but it’s definitely on us to be better.”
Following Steele's interception, Herbert completed all four of his attempts, including a 7-yard connection to Ladd McConkey in the end zone, during Los Angeles' first 10-play drive. Although Chiefs defensive end Malik Herring gave Herbert a hard hit during the pass play, Herbert managed to get the ball into a tight area when safety Bryan Cook turned his back.
The Chargers led 10-0 after a 50-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. Fulton returned a Mahomes ball meant for Kelce 29 yards along the right sideline, setting up the drive.
After Rice punched the ball free behind Fulton, center Creed Humphrey of the Chiefs was able to recover. However, a review of the footage revealed that Rice was out of bounds when he forced the turnover, allowing LA to retain the ball.
After going three and out on four of its first five possessions and committing two turnovers, Kansas City finally got going late in the second quarter.
After forcing the Chargers to go three and out, the Chiefs took possession at their 46, and Mahomes connected with Worthy for the deep touchdown right away. Swift rookie receiver Worthy, selected with the 28th overall pick in the April draft, outran Fulton on a go route and snagged a 62-yard throw from Mahomes three yards deep in the end zone.
The Chiefs go to 4-0 and the Chargers go to 2-2.
Up next for the Chiefs is the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead in the Monday Night Football slot.
While the Chargers have a bye week, but are away to the Broncos in week six.
