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The Chargers’ Troy Dye (43) reacts as the Chiefs’ Matthew Wright (49) is congratulated after his game-winning field goal. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
Clanks for the memories.
New kicker Matthew Wright lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to a 19-17 victory over the Chargers on Sunday night with a 31-yard field goal that miraculously ricocheted through the uprights.
Another wild adventure for the Chiefs who secured their ninth consecutive AFC West title with a familiar cover-your-eyes finish.
“Seems like games are getting closer and closer,” Kansas City linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “You’ve got to find a way to win those.”
But this is getting ridiculous. The Chiefs’ last four victories have been by a combined nine points. They knocked off Denver, Carolina, Las Vegas and the Chargers and easily could have lost any of those.
In their last 15 games decided by a touchdown or less, the Chiefs are 15-0.
The Chargers, meanwhile, are the photo negative. They are winless in their last 11 games decided by three points or fewer. They haven’t won one of those in two seasons.
Coach Jim Harbaugh celebrated his Chargers’ comeback in the second half before the Chiefs prevailed in the end. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
The Chargers might have a pinpoint quarterback in Justin Herbert, but they lack a killer instinct. That’s an unchecked box on coach Jim Harbaugh’s to-do list.
Consider the way Sunday night’s game unfolded down the stretch:
A Cameron Dicker field goal gave the Chargers a one-point lead with 4 minutes, 35 seconds remaining, but the visitors would never touch the ball again.
The Chiefs got a big boost when Dicker botched the ensuing kickoff, booting a knuckleball that failed to reach the landing zone, thereby allowing Kansas City to begin the final drive on its 40-yard line.
Patrick Mahomes played keep-away the rest of the game. He methodically guided the offense down the field, compelling the Chargers to use all three of their timeouts.
And on the play…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-show-chargers-win-close-110040472.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-09 11:00:00
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