The Los Angeles Chargers' four-game win streak came to an end Saturday after falling to the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-13.
Stat of the Game:
The 10-yard touchdown between Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates in the third quarter marked the 86th TD connection between the pair. It moved Rivers-Gates ahead of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice for the second-most TDs all-time by a QB-WR/TE duo.
Play of the Game:
Facing a 1st-and-goal, Philip Rivers stepped back and looked left to find Antonio Gates in the end zone. Number 85 found separation from linebacker Derrick Johnson to corral the pass for the touchdown. The TD was the pair's 86th and moved them second all-time for most touchdowns by a QB-WR/TE duo.
Turning Point:
Late in the third quarter, the Bolts got the ball back after the Chiefs scored a touchdown to regain the lead and make it a four-point game. On second down, Philip Rivers stepped back and lobbed a pass deep right. While it was intended for Tyrell Williams, Marcus Peters picked the ball off and ran it back 62 yards to the Los Angeles six. Four plays later, Harrison Butker made a 24-yard field goal to increase KC's lead, 20-13.
It Was Over When:
Facing a 4th-and-1 from the KC 47 with 8:29 left in the game, Philip Rivers threw a short pass in the direction of Antonio Gates. However, it was picked off by Ron Parker. The Chiefs scored on the offense's ensuing possession, increasing their lead to 30-13 which was too large a hole for the Bolts to overcome.
Bolt Quotebook
"It's pretty obvious we didn't play our best game. We reverted back to doing some things that we'd done earlier in the season. We turned the ball over. We didn't tackle well in space. We had some dumb penalties at bad times." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn
"We kind of fell apart in a sense (in second half). We didn't execute." – QB Philip Rivers
*"We've still got two games left. We'll watch the film and focus on the Jets. We had our opportunities, especially in the third quarter when we had the lead, but we didn't play well enough in all three phases." – CB Casey Hayward *
Odds and Ends
The Chiefs outgained the Chargers in total yardage, 397-307. Additionally, they held a 174-98 advantage on the ground and a 223-209 edge through the air.
Melvin Gordon caught a career-best 91 yards receiving on the day. Also in the game, Gordon went over 1,000 career receiving yards.
Keenan Allen passed Anthony Miller (1,163 in 1993) for the 15th most receiving yards in a single season in team history.
Melvin Gordon passed Dickie Post (2.519) for number nine in rushing yards in Chargers history. Gordon also moved into a tie with four players for ninth in team annals with 17 career rushing touchdowns.
Adrian Phillips and Jatavis Brown paced the defense with eight total tackles each.
When Melvin Ingram sacked Alex Smith in the first quarter, it marked his 10th sack of the season. Coupled with Joey Bosa's 11.5 sacks so far this season, the pair became the first Chargers duo to register double-digit sacks in the same season since 2006 (Shawne Merriman 17/Shaun Phillips 11.5).
Head Coach Anthony Lynn named WR Travis Benjamin as tonight's honorary captain.
Inactives for the Chargers included QB Cardale Jones, WR Geremy Davis, CB Craig Mager, OT Michael Ola, TE Sean Culkin, DE Jeremiah Attaochu and DE Isaac Rochell.
The Chargers battle the Chiefs for a Saturday Night Football showdown.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs away from Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) scrambles between Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) and defensive back Eric Murray (21) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers safety Adrian Phillips (31) and quarterback Kellen Clemens, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker (38) closes in on Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) makes a catch over Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker (38) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) scores a touchdown next to Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) celebrates his touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) makes a catch against Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Marcus Peters (22) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) makes a touchdown catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defenders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
