THURSDAY NIGHT RECAP: Chiefs edge Chargers for thrilling comeback win at Arrowhead Stadium

Clovis Shropshire
September 15, 2022
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3 minutes read

Outside of a laugher to end the 2020 season that saw Kansas City sitting their starters in preparation for a playoff berth, matchups between the Chiefs and Chargers have delivered consistently exciting results since Justin Herbert arrived in Los Angeles. Thursday night’s matchup at Arrowhead Stadium was no exception, delivering sixty minutes of drama in front of a capacity crowd for Amazon Prime Video’s debut broadcast.

The Chargers got off to a fast start, scoring on their first two drives en route to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. They’d carry a 10-7 lead into halftime and extend it further on the opening drive of the second half when Mike Williams made a highlight reel catch in the end zone.

Los Angeles looked poised to extend their lead again after what appeared to be an interception by Asante Samuel Jr, but the call was overturned. The Chiefs would make the most of it, cutting the lead to just three on a Patrick Mahomes touchdown throw. Still trailing 17-14 later in the third, Kansas City would again survive a close call near the goal line as Samuel dropped another interception. This time, a field goal would tie the score at 17 as the game headed to the fourth quarter.

After the Chargers marched deep into Kansas City territory, endeavoring to take the lead, rookie defensive back Jaylen Watson would electrify the Arrowhead Stadium crowd with a 99-yard interception return to turn the game on its head. After an injury nearly knocked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert out of the game, Kansas City extended their lead to 27-17 with less than five minutes left.

Hobbling Herbert would march downfield again, punching in a touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer with less than a minute remaining to make it 27-24 – but Kansas City would recover the onside kick, preserving a massive comeback win for the Chiefs. For Los Angeles, concerns about Justin Herbert’s status will linger heading into next week – as will plenty of “what if” questions after a game they feel they should have found a way to win.

Kansas City takes their 2-0 record on the road to Indianapolis next weekend to take on the Colts. Los Angeles returns home, looking to bounce back against the Jacksonville Jaguars.