Chargers Top Chiefs, 30-24

Sep 26, 2021 at 01:10 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-24, in Week 3 of the 2021 season.

First quarter

The Chiefs won the coin toss and deferred, so the Chargers offense opened the game. Although the offense went three-and-out, the Chargers defense ended a promising Kansas City drive with an interception by Asante Samuel Jr.

With the pick, Samuel Jr. became the first Charger in 35 years to pick off multiple passes before turning 22.

Later on in the quarter, Chargers cornerback Tevaughn Campbell forced a fumble on Tyreek Hill which Michael Davis recovered.

Second Quarter

The Chargers started the second quarter on the Chiefs' 29-yard line looking to capitalize off the turnover. A 19-yard pass play to tight end Donald Parham put the Chargers in a great place to put points on the board. On 2nd-and-4, Herbert found Keenan Allen wide open in the end zone on a four-yard pass, putting the Chargers up 6-0. The pass gave Allen his first touchdown on the season, kicker Tristan Vizcaino ended up missing the PAT to keep the score 6-0.

On the Chiefs' ensuing drive, Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for a seven-yard gain, but Campbell forced yet another fumble for the Chiefs' third turnover on the day. Davis once again recovered the fumble and ran it back for a 14-yard gain.

With another chance to score off of a Kansas City turnover, the Chargers marched the ball down the field to the Kansas City 16-yard line. On second down, Herbert found Austin Ekeler for a 16-yard touchdown pass, Herbert's second TD pass on the day. The Chargers elected to go for two and found Mike Williams in the end zone to convert, putting the Chargers up 14-0.

The Chargers defense was without a key player with just over two minutes left to play in the first half, as safety Derwin James suffered a shoulder injury and was questionable to return to the game. However, just a few plays later he returned to action.

With 30 seconds left to play in the half, the Chargers stopped Kansas City on a 3rd-and-15 forcing the Chiefs to settle for a 34-yard field goal, which made the score 14-3, Chargers, at the end of the first half.

Third Quarter

The Chiefs got the ball to start the second half and drove the ball down the field for a 12-play 75-yard drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to tight end Jody Fortson. Mahomes' first touchdown pass of the day cut into the Chargers' lead making it 14-10, Bolts.

The Chiefs put together another long touchdown drive, as Mahomes found Edwards-Helaire for a 10-yard touchdown pass that put the Chiefs up 17-14 with just under five minutes left to play in the third quarter.

Jared Cook provided a nice spark to the Bolts' offense with a 21-yard catch down the field on third down to keep the drive moving.

Fourth Quarter

The Chargers started the fourth quarter off with a bang. In Kansas City territory, the Bolts converted a fourth down pass to Allen to keep the drive alive. Just one play later, Herbert found Williams for a 20-yard touchdown that put the Chargers up 21-17 after the PAT attempt. Williams became the first Charger since Antonio Gates during the 2010 season to record a touchdown reception in three-straight games.

On their next drive, the Chiefs answered with a touchdown pass of their own to Mecole Hardman putting the Chiefs up 24-21 after the PAT was good from Butker.

With just over six and half minutes left in the game, Herbert connected with Williams for a big 43-yard pass play to put the Bolts in Chiefs' territory late in the game. On third-and-goal, a pass interference penalty was called on the Chiefs giving the Chargers a fresh set of downs. A few plays later the Chargers had a touchdown to Gabe Nabers called off due to an illegal shift penalty, forcing the Chargers to settle for a field goal. Vizcaino hit a 24-yard field goal to tie the game 24-24 with just over two minutes to play.

For the third week in a row, the Chargers faced a crucial late-game drive, this time with the defense on the field. On third down, Mahomes aired a deep ball down field that was intercepted by safety Alohi Gilman, forcing the Chiefs' fourth turnover on the day.

The Chargers were able to march into Kansas City territory and facing a pivotal 4th-and-9, the Bolts elected to go for it and were able to convert after defensive pass interference was called on the Chiefs. A few plays later Herbert found Williams once again in the end zone on a four-yard pass to put the Bolts up 30-24. Vizcaino ended up missing the PAT to keep the lead at six with 32 seconds left in the game.

With time expiring, Mahomes launched a deep pass near the end zone that was incomplete, giving the Chargers the incredible 30-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.