Mahomes delivers a stunning performance with 424 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Kelce shines with an outstanding performance as the Chiefs triumph over the Chargers
(AP) — KANSAS CITY, MO With two chances to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs per season, the Los Angeles Chargers and the rest of the AFC West should be the team with the most experience stopping Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The comfort hasn't appeared to be helpful.
With a victory over the Chargers on Sunday, which saw Mahomes throw for 424 yards and four touchdowns and Kelce catch 12 catches for 179 yards and a score, the Chiefs took control of the division that they had won seven years in a row. Mahomes also raised his record versus AFC West teams to 29-3. After seven weeks of play, Kansas City leads the division by three games.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated, "I think both Pat and Kelce, when they're on the same page, that's a challenge for any defense." The Chiefs are the first team to win the Super Bowl despite losing their season opener.
They work on it, I know that. This isn't something like a secret," Reid went on. "It's truly impressive how well those two execute."
With three more receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown from Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the Chiefs (6-1) extended their winning streak against the Chargers to four games, dating back to their thrilling overtime game in 2021. Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco also grabbed touchdown passes.
Sunday wasn't a simple day. Mecole Hardman, who was just traded back to Kansas City by the New York Jets, returned a punt fifty yards for the Chiefs, who were ahead 24–17 halfway through the fourth quarter. As a result, they had a short field, and six plays later, Mahomes found Pacheco in the backfield for the game-winning touchdown.
After being shut out for the last 30 minutes, Chargers coach Brandon Staley observed, "We just didn't get any rhythm in the second half." “We seemed aggressive in the first half, in my opinion. Throughout the second half, we repeatedly stalled.
The league's second-best scoring defense allowed the Chargers' Justin Herbert to be sacked five times while finishing with 259 yards passing, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Joshua Kelley ran for 75 yards and a touchdown, while Joshua Palmer grabbed five receptions for 133 yards.
Herbert remarked, "They're a decent defense." "We made every effort to advance the ball. We simply didn't perform well enough.
Throughout the whole season, the Chiefs had to rely on their defense to support an offense that was finding it difficult to get going.
It took Mahomes and company until the first half.
Following a field goal on the first drive, the league MVP winner completed three of the following four drives with touchdown passes. With 15 seconds remaining in the first half, Kelce flipped the ball from the 1-yard line to burst through a cluster of defenders and into the end zone. The first of the three passes was a 46-yard strike to Valdes-Scantling, the second to Rice, and the last, somewhat fittingly, was to Kelce.
Pop sensation Taylor Swift, who was once again watching from a luxurious suite and celebrated with a special handshake with quarterback Kirk Mahomes' wife Brittany Mahomes, led the cheers from the home audience.
By then, Mahomes had amassed 321 yards passing, which was his fourth career half-century mark. For the second consecutive week, Kelce finished the half with over 100 yards and a touchdown with nine receptions for 143 yards.
Mahomes clarified, "The key with Travis is his ability to identify coverage and make quick adjustments." You can't take it for granted, even though we discuss it frequently. He is able to stop in the windows, read the coverages, and communicate with me in the same way."
However, despite their impressive half, the Chiefs were only ahead 24–17 because the Chargers were making some huge plays of their own.
Early in the second quarter, Kelley broke loose for a 49-yard touchdown run after they tied the game with a field goal of their own. Additionally, Herbert found tight end Gerald Everett in the end zone for a touchdown after connecting with Palmer for sixty yards down the middle of the field. Herbert is the quarterback for Los Angeles.
With all the offensive in the first half, the second half was largely ineffective. The Chiefs were holding onto a 24-17 lead going into the fourth quarter, despite both teams having lengthy drives in the third quarter that ended in turnovers.
They were able to end the game at that point.
Observe, sweethearts
Swift was spotted sporting a friendship bracelet bearing the number "87." The tight end courted the pop sensation after his failed attempt to gift her a bracelet during her Eras Tour, starting with an invitation to an Arrowhead Stadium game. Swift accepted Kelce's offer, and the two have been dating ever since.
GRETA BACK
Charles Omenihu, a pass rusher for the Chiefs who was banished six games for breaking the NFL's personal conduct rules, had a spectacular debut. In the first half, he had a sack, and in the second, he tipped a pass that L'Jarius Sneed intercepted.
SUCCESSES
Batteries: RB After limping off in the first half, Austin Ekeler was able to rejoin the game. Everett exited with a quad injury in the second half.
Leaders: LB In the fourth quarter, when tackling Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, Nick Bolton sprained his wrist.