Patrick Mahomes has experienced many different situations in his 100 regular-season games.
Even though the Kansas City Chiefs were behind 10-0 against the Los Angeles Chargers just over 11 minutes into Sunday’s game, Mahomes felt there was enough time to make a comeback.
On a day when he threw for 245 yards and one touchdown while reconnecting with Travis Kelce, Mahomes credited his defense as the key reason the two-time defending Super Bowl champions won 17-10 and improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2020.
“We weren’t playing good. but I think the best thing is, no one talks about it and they start to now, but our defense is really good,” Mahomes said, completing 19 of 29 passes. “They know how to shut the door and keep us in games. Then they believe that the offense is going to find a way to score enough points at the end.”
Kansas City has beaten the Chargers six times in a row. They also have 11 consecutive road wins against their AFC West rival, the longest current winning streak by an away team and tied for third all-time.
“I’m proud of our guys for hanging in there. Easily could have gone a different direction there, but the guys supported each other,” said coach Andy Reid.
The Chiefs rallied after losing wide receiver Rashee Rice to a possible season-ending knee injury in the first quarter. Rice was injured when Mahomes accidentally hit him while both were chasing Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton during an interception return.
The Chargers (2-2) scored 10 points from two turnovers by the Chiefs—a fumble by Carson Steele and Mahomes’ fifth interception of the season—but that was all they managed.
Los Angeles went three-and-out on four of its eight possessions in the last three quarters. However, the Chargers had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter when they reached the Kansas City 3-yard line.
But Justin Herbert’s pass to tight end Hayden Hurst was incomplete after Chris Jones and Felix Anudike-Uzomah pressured him on fourth-and-1. Seven minutes later, Samaje Perine scored a 2-yard touchdown run, putting Kansas City ahead.
The Chargers, who won their first two games with a strong running game, finished with only 55 rushing yards and averaged 2.3 yards per carry.
“Got to get Justin just a little bit more time. Some of the throws he made, some of the plays he made were incredible,” said Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.
“Got to look at how we respond from here, and it’ll be like starting the season over again when we come back (from the bye week).”
Mahomes completed passes to six players. Kelce had a season-high seven receptions for 89 yards and set the franchise’s career receptions record, passing fellow tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Xavier Worthy caught three passes for 73 yards, including a 54-yard pass from Mahomes in the second quarter for the Chiefs’ first touchdown.
Kansas City’s defense also took advantage of Herbert’s limited mobility due to a high ankle sprain and a struggling offensive line because of injuries to tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
“We were able to create some pressure there in the second quarter and second half, and get those guys going,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said.
“We knew they were a little beat up on the O-line, and there might be some communication, chemistry issues. We were able to take advantage of that down the stretch.”
Herbert was sacked twice by Jones and was hit 10 times on 31 dropbacks. He completed all seven of his passes in the first quarter, but was only 9 of 20 afterward.
“They do a good job of getting after the passer. We expected that, we knew that, and I thought we were preparing for it,” said Herbert, who finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards with one touchdown. “I thought the offensive line did a great job stepping up, blocking, doing everything they needed to do, but it’s definitely on us to be better.”
After Steele’s fumble, Herbert completed all four of his passes during Los Angeles’ opening 10-play drive, including a 7-yard throw to Ladd McConkey in the back of the end zone.
Herbert took a big hit from Chiefs defensive end Malik Herring while throwing, but he got the ball into a tight spot as safety Bryan Cook had his back turned.
Cameron Dicker’s 50-yard field goal made the score 10-0 in favor of the Chargers. The drive began after Fulton intercepted Mahomes’ pass intended for Kelce and returned it 29 yards along the right sideline.
Rice knocked the ball loose from behind Fulton, and Chiefs center Creed Humphrey recovered it. However, a video review showed that Rice was out of bounds when he caused the fumble, so Los Angeles kept the ball.
Kansas City had two turnovers and went three-and-out on four of its first five possessions before finally getting on track late in the second quarter.
The Chiefs took over at their 46 after forcing the Chargers to go three-and-out, and Mahomes quickly connected with Worthy for a deep touchdown.
Worthy, the fast rookie receiver who was the 28th overall pick in April’s draft, raced past Fulton on a go route and caught the pass from Mahomes, which traveled 62 yards in the air, 3 yards deep in the end zone.
Harrison Butker’s 37-yard field goal tied the game at 10-all midway through the third quarter.
