The Bolts fell in an overtime heartbreaker 33-27 against the Kansas City Chiefs. After getting downfield, the Chiefs scored first with a 47-yard field goal from Cairo Santos, but the Chargers' offense was a force to be reckoned with for the remaining part of the first half. Running back Melvin Gordon continued his strong level of play shown in the preseason by capping off a six play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown to make it 7-3, Chargers. But the Gordon TDs didn't end there. The Bolts took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter after another score from number 28. The Chargers tacked on another TD after Philip Rivers found a wide open Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a four-yard score. Rivers finished the half 16 of 20 for 151 yards and one TD. The Bolts defense also had a strong showing in the first half with two sacks, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed.
Josh Lambo's 29-yard field goal increased the Chargers lead to 24-3 midway through the third quarter. The Chiefs finally got in the end zone with rookie Tyreek Hill taking in a Smith pass and scampering in for a nine-yard score to make it 24-10. After a 38-yard catch at the end of the third quarter, the Chargers got in the red zone and capped it off with another Lambo field goal. Jason Verrett made a magician-like play coming over the top of the receiver to cradle the ball in for an interception. However, after the Chiefs took over upon a missed Lambo field goal, Smith found Jeremy Maclin for a 19-yard score to make it 27-17. The Chiefs then brought it within one score after Santos kicked a 33-yard field goal. After being down 21, the Chiefs came back and tied the game with just over a minute left.
The game went to overtime and while the Chiefs won the coin toss, they also won the game. The Chargers never got an opportunity to take the field as Kansas City won with a touchdown.
IMPACT PLAYS
First Quarter
13:55 – On first down, Spencer Ware took a short Alex Smith pass upfield for a gain of 28.
11:55 – Cairo Santos kicked the Chiefs to their first points of the game with a 47-yard field goal.
9:56 – Facing a blitz on 3rd-and-6, Philip Rivers found Tyrell Williams for a gain of 33. On the next play, Melvin Gordon rushed up the middle for a gain of 17 to the KC seven-yard line.
8:30 – After defensive pass interference was called on the prior play, Gordon took a handoff from Rivers for number 28's first-career NFL TD.
:14 - Danny Woodhead scampered up the middle for a gain of 12 and the Chargers' 10th first down of the quarter.
Second Quarter
14:10 – Gordon did it again. This time for a six-yard score and 14-3 lead.
12:15 – After Caraun Reid got to Smith two plays prior, Jerry Attaochu tacked on a sack good for a loss of 14 to bring up a KC punt.
7:59 – Rivers found a wide open Woodhead in the end zone for the Bolts' third TD of the game.
5:55 – Manti Te'o read the play and dropped Charcandrick West for a loss of five.
Third Quarter
14:53 – Finding a huge hole on the first offensive play of the second half, Woodhead ran upfield for a gain of 21.
6:06 – Lambo booted a 29-yard field goal to make it 24-3, Chargers.
6:02 – Smith found the running back Ware who took the pass upfield for a 45-yard catch-and-run.
3:57 – The Chiefs converted a fourth down with Smith finding Travis Kelce for 13.
2:53 – KC finally found the end zone with Smith hitting rookie Tyreek Hill for the nine-yard score.
:26 – On 3rd-and-2, Williams got 38 after a catch-and-run up the right sideline.
Fourth Quarter
13:27 – The Chargers increased their lead 27-10 after another Lambo field goal.
12:56 – Jason Verrett came over the top of Maclin to corral the ball with one arm for an interception.
11:25 – Lambo came out for a 54-yard field goal but it fell wide right and the Chiefs took over.
10:25 – Needing two on fourth down, KC got a gain of seven off a Smith to West pass.
9:23 – Smith found Maclin for a 19-yard score to make it 27-17.
3:12 – Santos kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it a one-score game.
1:11 – Kansas City drove down and scored to tie the game with a Ware run.
Overtime
14:53 – Ware took a Smith pass to the 50-yard line for a gain of 20.
14:31 – The Chiefs gained another first down with a Ware run for 13.
12:34 – On third down, Smith found Kelce for eight when they only needed three to move the chains.
10:44 – Ware took the handoff to the SD two-yard line to bring up third down.
9:59 – Smith kept the ball and powered through for a touchdown to end the game.
