The Chargers increased their chances of making the postseason when they outlasted the Eagles this past Monday night. Now they’ve got a chance to all but stamp their playoff ticket by beating the 6-7 Chiefs on the road. If they needed any additional motivation, a win today would all but sink the Chiefs and their playoff hopes at the same time.
What a beautiful, wonderful moment that would be for this Chargers team that has known all too well the sting of watching the Chiefs leave the field victorious in demoralizing fashion.
Today, the Chiefs are down their starting tackles and All-Pro right guard Trey Smith. If there was a day for the pass rush to help swing the final outcome, this is it. However, it’s not like Justin Herbert’s hand has miraculously healed all the way through. He’ll have to try and author another win against a tough opponent all while keeping tabs on his injury.
It’s going to be another exciting chapter in the 2025 divisional race so you aren’t going to want to miss a moment. For an entire live recap of today’s game, keep it right here.
The Chargers won the toss and chose to defer. The Chiefs offense was up first.
The Chiefs got off to a fast start with an opening drive touchdown that ended in a 12-yard scramble into the end zone by Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City was aided by some questionable calls against the Chargers that helped push the Chiefs down the field, including a low take-on by Derwin James against offensive tackle Jaylon Moore which cost LA 15 yards.
On a third-and-11 situation following a Tuli Tuipulotu sack near midfield, wide receiver Rashee Rice bowled over cornerback Cam Hart which left tight end Travis Kelce wide open to move the sticks. After just one drive, it looked like it was going to be one of “those” games for the Chargers against Kansas City.
The Chargers began their opening drive of the game by running the football on five consecutive plays, some of which included offensive tackle Trevor Penning being used as an additional lineman. Facing a first-and-10 at the Chefs 39-yard line, Herbert threw incomplete. That was followed by an eight-yard pass from Herbert to Allen to bring up third-and-two. Omarion Hampton could only get a yard from there and the Chargers brought out Cam Dicker who would convert from 49-yards out. With 2:30 in the first remaining, the Chiefs held a 7-3 lead.
After a slow start on defense, the Chargers hunkered down and held Mahomes to a three-and-out on their next drive. Kansas City punter Matt Araiza had a great kick to pin the Chargers at their nine-yard line to begin their next drive.