Was there ever any uncertainty?
In a back-and-forth “Sunday Night Football” game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the NFL’s best team this season at winning close games, won the AFC West division for the ninth time in a row and maintained control over their route to the AFC’s top playoff seed. They won 19–17.
They have the second-longest division title streak in NFL history, only surpassed by New England’s 11-game winning streak from 2009 to 2019.
In games decided by a single score or fewer this season, the Chiefs (12-1) have improved to 10-0. Since the previous season, they have also won 15 straight games with just one possession, including postseason games.
With 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Chargers (8-5) had taken a 17-16 lead after a field goal. With two minutes left, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led his team down the field and continued the drive with a crucial third-down pass to tight end Travis Kelce.
Matthew Wright kicked a 31-yard field goal for the victory after Kansas City had placed the ball in that position. The kick rebounded off the left upright, but at an angle that sent the ball through the goalposts.
On the field, Chargers players held their helmets in their hands. Wright, Kansas City’s third kicker this season, converted all four of his field goal tries.
With 14 points in the third quarter, the Chargers overtook a 13-0 deficit at the half. Together, the teams would make five lead changes. But, like he so frequently does, Mahomes came out on top in the end.
With at least 30 starts, his career record of 35-5 versus AFC West opponents is the highest winning percentage in NFL divisional games. And Mahomes, who has improved to 10-2 in his career, has really plagued the Chargers.
Mahomes was sacked three times while throwing for 210 yards and one touchdown against the Chargers defense, who gives up the fewest points per game. For 45 yards, Kelce caught five receptions.
“SNF”blog: Reflect on the game’s progression
Following halftime, quarterback Justin Herbert was brilliant, leading the Chargers to points on all three of their second-half drives after they had failed to score on all six of their first-half drives. In addition to being sacked three times, he completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown. However, the Chargers were unable to do much but watch as Mahomes guided his team to victory in the closing seconds, just like every other Chiefs opponent this season that has found themselves in a close game late.
Around the league
- Josh Allen had one of the greatest games in NFL history and still lost. The Buffalo Bills quarterback threw for three touchdowns and ran for another three touchdowns the first time in NFL history that has happened and it wasn t good enough as his team fell 44-42 to the Los Angeles Rams. Buffalo dropped to 10-3, while Los Angeles improved to 7-6.
- For those who want to discount the 11-2 Minnesota Vikings, do so at your own peril. On Sunday they demolished the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 against former quarterback Kirk Cousins. Vikings signal caller Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns three to Jordan Addison and two to Justin Jefferson en route to the convincing victory.
- Two starting quarterbacks left games early: New Orleans Derek Carr and Las Vegas Aiden O Connell. Carr sustained a left hand injury and a potential concussion in the fourth quarter of a 14-11 win against the New York Giants. O Connell, meanwhile, was carted off with a knee injury in the third quarter of the Raiders 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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