The Los Angeles Chargers are playoff bound for the first time since 2013 after beating the Kansas City Chiefs, 29-28, in a thrilling Thursday Night showdown.
Game Balls
Offense: Mike Williams – Mike Williams is having a sophomore season for the ages and Thursday night, proved why the Chargers selected him seventh-overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Williams had three total touchdowns on the night, but what he did on the final drive of the game was truly special. He caught the final touchdown, and, the two-point conversion to win the game. He finished the night with seven receptions for 76 yards with two touchdowns. Additionally, he had one carry for a 19-yard score.
Defense: Melvin Ingram – The sack that Ingram split with Isaac Rochell on third down was a difference maker in the win. Facing a 3rd-and-13, Patrick Mahomes stepped back but Ingram and Rochell converged on the QB to sack him for a loss of two and forced a punt. The Chargers offense ended up scoring and getting the two-point conversion on the ensuing drive to win the game. Ingram had another sack earlier in the game on first down that eventually led to a KC punt. Along with the 1.5 sacks, he finished the game with three total tackles, one tackle for loss and two QB hits.
Unsung Hero: Travis Benjamin – When Keenan Allen went down in the game, the entire WR corps stepped up, and Benjamin was a huge part of that. Number 12 had a critical 26-yard fourth down reception that kept the offense's final drive alive. He finished the game with two receptions for 57 yards and one carry for eight yards.
Stat of the Game:
Philip Rivers recorded his sixth 30-touchdown season, tying Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers for the fifth-most in league history.
Play of the Game:
You could put any one of Mike Williams' scores here, but we're going to go with his final TD to bring the game within one. With eight seconds left, on 1st-and-goal, Philip Rivers stepped back and threw right, aiming for Mike Williams in the end zone. Williams went up and snagged the ball for the one-yard score to bring the Bolts within one point of a tied game.
Turning Point:
After a touchdown by Justin Jackson made it 28-21, KC, the Chiefs got the ball back with 3:49 left in the game. Initially, they faced a 3rd-and-8, but a false start penalty backed them up to 3rd-and-13. Patrick Mahomes stepped back, then tried to step up, but Melvin Ingram and Isaac Rochell converged on the QB to sack him for a two-yard loss. The sack forced KC to punt, giving the ball back to the Chargers offense with 2:37 remaining.
It Was Over When:
After Mike Williams' final touchdown, the Bolts opted to go for two for the win. Philip Rivers lobbed a pass to the right of the end zone and found a wide-open Williams for the game-winning play.
Bolt Quotebook
"A lot of guys don't understand how difficult it is to win a division in this league. I remember us having a stretch of us winning and then we had a stretch of not winning, so to be in a position with two games, three games left and we're obviously sitting at 11 wins, that says a lot about our hard work and preparation as a team." – TE Antonio Gates
"This season means a lot seeing the fight in this group, it's a group who doesn't quit. We had a lot of close games this year and we found ways to win. That's the main thing. Last year, we weren't winning those games and this year, we're finding ways to win. You can see the fight in this group." – WR Mike Williams
"I've never been to the playoffs. Seven years, never been to the playoffs, man. It's a great feeling knowing that (we're) just contributing and (it was a) hard-fought battle for our team and the receiver group. Mike Williams had a great day today so we're all happy." – WR Travis Benjamin
Odds and Ends
The Chargers outgained the Chiefs in total yardage 407-294, becoming the first team this season to hold the Chiefs to fewer than 300 yards of offense. They held advantages both through the air (288-234) and on the ground (119-60).
The Bolts improved to 11-3 for the fourth time in team history (and first since 2009), while also clinching the team's 19th-ever playoff berth.
With 313 yards, Rivers posted his 62nd career 300-yard performance, tying Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre for the fifth-most in NFL history.
In the most significant offensive action of their careers, running backs Justin Jackson (58) and Detrez Newsome (34) registered single-game career highs in rushing yards.
TE Antonio Gates moved to No. 17 on the all-time receptions list, bringing his career total to 952 to pass Hall of Fame WR Andre Reed.
Adrian Phillips paced the defense with nine total tackles. Additionally, he had one QB hit.
Mike Pouncey and Travis Benjamin served as tonight's honorary captains.
Inactives for the Chargers included Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Chris Landrum, Cole Toner, Sean Culkin, Dylan Cantrell and Brandon Mebane.
Browse through the top game action photos from Thursday Night Football's Week 15 showdown versus the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Philip Rivers rolls out of the pocket during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Justin Jackson carries the ball during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jatavis Brown tackles TE Travis Kelce during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Bolts tackle RB Darrel Williams during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Philip Rivers looks to pass during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Antonio Gates turns to run after catching the ball during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Antonio Gates runs from S Ron Parker during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) catches a touchdown pass in the end zone during an NFL regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ryan Kang/NFL)
Mike Williams catches the ball for a touchdown during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Mike Williams catches the ball for a touchdown during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates his touchdown during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams and Tyrell Williams celebrate Mike's touchdown during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Virgil Green is tackled after catching the ball during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Joey Bosa in action against OT Eric Fisher during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Melvin Ingram pressures QB Patrick Mahomes during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Melvin Ingram on the field during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Justin Jackson extends the ball while being tackled during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams runs downfield during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams runs in the ball for his second touchdown of the night during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams reaches to score his second touchdown of the night during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams scores his second touchdown of the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams runs into the endzone during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams and Geremy Davis celebrate Williams' touchdown during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mike Williams runs with the ball during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) runs with the ball during an NFL regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Detrez Newsome runs the ball during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. (Ryan Kang/NFL)
Justin Jackson runs downfield during the Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. The Los Angeles Chargers won 29-28. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Justin Jackson, corredor de los Chargers de Los Ángeles, anota un touchdown ante los Chiefs de Kansas City, el jueves 13 de diciembre de 2018 (AP Foto/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) runs away from a tackle attempt by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. The Los Angeles Chargers won 29-28. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) runs with the ball during an NFL regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Mike Williams, receptor de los Chargers de Los Ángeles, festeja luego de conseguir una conversión de dos puntos para vencer a los Chiefs de Kansas City, el jueves 13 de diciembre de 2018 (AP Foto/Ed Zurga)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17), safety Jahleel Addae (37) and others celebrate their 29-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
