Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs have now won seven consecutive games following an electric overtime win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers Thursday evening.
It did not come easy for the Chiefs in Southern California. For a while there, it looked like sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers would sweep Kansas City on the season and take over first place in the AFC West.
Mahomes and Co. had different thoughts in the fourth quarter and overtime. Down 14-13 heading into the final stanza, Mahomes led the Chiefs to three touchdown-scoring drives. That culminated in a 34-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce in overtime to give Kansas City a walk-off 34-28 win.
Patrick Mahomes will get a lot of credit for winning this game. For good reason. The former NFL MVP completed 31-of-47 passses for 410 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
However, Kelce’s career day sent the Chargers into the good night. The All-Pro tight tallied a 69-yard catch earlier in the game (nice) and ultimately finished with a personal high 191 yards to go with two scores.
This one certainly had a playoff atmosphere to it inside SoFi Stadium in Southern California. Los Angeles would have taken over sole possession of first place in the division with a win. If the Chiefs came out on out, they’d take a two-game lead over the Chargers and pretty much wrap things up.
When it was needed the most, Mahomes and a previously fledgling Chiefs offense proved to be the difference.