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The Chargers’ Justin Herbert (10) had to congratulate the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (15) again after another AFC West matchup. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Chargers limp, both figuratively and literally, into their off week with consecutive losses and a litany of injuries after losing 17-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
What we learned:
Pick the right spots
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15), who ran when necessary against the Chargers, scrambles past linebacker Troy Dye (43). (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
A clutch fourth quarter that fueled a season-opening win offered hope that this era of the Chargers might be different from the also-ran teams of the past. Two reality-check losses have shown old habits die hard.
The Chargers were held scoreless in the second half Sunday for the second consecutive game while squandering a 10-7 halftime lead again.
Herbert, who left last week’s game in Pittsburgh with an ankle injury early in the third quarter, lamented the offense’s struggles on third and fourth downs against the Chiefs.
The Chargers were four-of-13 on third downs and failed a fourth-and-one from the Chiefs’ three-yard line during the fourth quarter of a tied game. The team is seven-for-24 on third downs in the last two games.
Read more: Column: Heard this before? Injuries are keeping Justin Herbert, Chargers from flourishing
The Chiefs, who have not yet turned into the offensive juggernaut of recent years, converted nine of 16 (56.3%) of their third-down tries, a season-best.
“They did better playing situational football,” outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. “In other years, it was kind of like a breakdown here, breakdown there and they were able to put up 20-plus points. Today, it seemed like it was a little tougher for them.”
The Chargers, who have lost six straight to their AFC West rivals, largely kept Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes from making game-changing running plays.
The two-time NFL most valuable player had 12 rushing…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-macks-takeaway-chargers-loss-100213612.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-09-30 10:02:13
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