By MATT PIKE
For the first time since the 2014 season, the Kansas City Chiefs will not be a part of the NFL postseason, losing the Los Angeles Chargers 16-13 officially ending their postseason hopes after results of three other games turned into elimination for Kansas City.
The Chiefs needed a win against the Chargers to keep their playoff hopes alive, along with a loss from the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans. Even with the Chiefs loss, had any of those teams lost, there still would have been a chance, but the Jaguars blew out the New York Jets, the Bills came back for a win against the New England Patriots, and the Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals.
Kansas City did hold a lead for most of the first half, outscoring Los Angeles 13-3 for a lead. A 12 yard rushing touchdown from Patrick Mahomes gave the Chiefs the lead in the opening quarter. Cameron Dicker cut into the lead for the Chargers with a 49 yard field goal, but Harrison Butker knocked through field goals of 27 and 47 yards to extend Kansas City's lead in the second quarter.
From there, it was all Los Angeles, as the Chargers outscored the Chiefs 13-0, first cutting the lead to three points just before the halftime break with a 16 yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to KeAndre Lambert, making the score 13-10 at the halftime break. The first half was also riddled with injuries for Kansas City. Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore left, but did return, though later left with a knee injury and did not return. Xavier Worthy and Nick Bolton also went into the blue injury tent, but returned to action.
In the second half, Dicker tied up early in the third quarter with a 23 yard field goal, and then near the end of the quarter put Los Angeles in the lead with a 41 yard field goal. Kansas City's ensuing drive ended with an interception, Mahomes being picked off by Daiyan Henley at the Chargers 17 yard line. Kansas City forced Los Angeles to punt, after a 12 play drive that consumed over seven minutes of clock, and on a last ditch drive, it was a Chiefs fans worst nightmare with the playoffs on the line.
On 1st and 10, just after the two minute warning, Mahomes was sprinting toward the sideline and throwing the ball away when he was spun to the ground by defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, leaving the two-time MVP grabbing at his left knee. Backup Gardner Minshew would come into the game, Mahomes headed to the locker room, and six plays later Minshew's pass attempt was picked off by Derwin James, ending the game.
Mahomes was 16 of 28 passing for 189 yards and one interception, adding two rushes for 15 yards and a touchdown. Isiah Pacheco had 11 carries for 21 yards while Kareem Hunt had six carries for 12 yards. Travis Kelce was the leading receiver with seven catches for 70 yards, Rashee Rice had seven catches for 51 yards, and Tyquan Thornton had two catches for 47 yards.
Kansas City is now 6-8 on the season and will be on the road next week to take on the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff is at noon with pregame at 11am on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) and Q Country (92.7 FM).
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