Chiefs beat Chargers 31-21: Complete game summary

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-21 to finish their season 12-4 win the AFC’s second seed as the New England Patriots fell to the Miami Dolphins.

OFFENSE

First half

First drive: The Chiefs started the game with a 1-yard gain from Damien Williams. A 6-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes Travis Kelce gave the Chiefs third-and-short, which Mahomes converted with a 4-yard scramble. A short completion and a dropped pass forced the Chiefs into their second third down of the drive, which they converted on an offsides penalty. A couple of plays later, the Chiefs faced third down again, but after another offsides penalty, they converted with a 2-yard run from Williams. An 11-yard pass to Kelce put the Chiefs into field goal range. After a short scramble and an incomplete pass, the Chiefs had third down for the fourth time, but couldn’t convert. They settled for a field goal. Chiefs 3, Chargers 0

Second drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a 7-yard completion to Kelce. Williams got the first down with a 5-yard run. The Chiefs faced third down a couple of plays later, and converted with a 13-yard completion to Williams. After a dropped pass and a loss of yards on a screen play, the Chiefs couldn’t convert on third down and punted for the first time in the game.

Third drive: The Chiefs started this drive with a short run from Williams and an incomplete pass to Blake Bell. Facing their eighth third down of the game, the Chiefs converted with a 30-yard pass to Mecole Hardman. On the next play, Mahomes completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson. Chiefs 10, Chargers 7

Fourth drive: The Chiefs ran the ball to drain the clock to end the first half.

Second half

Fifth drive: Mahomes started the half with an incomplete pass to Williams. On the following play, Mahomes threw an interception to give the Chargers possession.

Sixth drive: On the first play of the drive, Williams broke free for an 84-yard touchdown run. Chiefs 24, Chargers 14

Seventh drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a short run from Williams and a false start penalty. Mahomes scrambled 12 yards to get the first down. After a short pass to hill and a short scramble from Mahomes, the Chiefs faced third down and failed to convert forcing them to punt.

Eighth drive: Williams gained three yards on a run. After a tipped pass fell incomplete, Mahomes found Hill for a 47-yard gain on third down that put the Chiefs at the Chargers 27-yard line. Williams gained two yards and then five more — putting the Chiefs in the red zone — before getting a first down with another 5-yard run. Williams got another carry for three yards, but a defensive holding penalty gave the Chiefs first-and-goal at the 7-yard line. On the next play, Williams finished the drive with a touchdown run. Chiefs 31, Chargers 21

Ninth drive: The Chiefs kneeled to end the game

DEFENSE

First half

First drive: The Chargers started the game with a 9-yard completion to wide receiver Keenan Allen. A few plays later, Phillip Rivers completed a screen pass to Allen for 10 more yards. But a Melvin Gordon run for a loss — and a tackle for loss by Anthony Hitchens — gave the Chargers third-and-20 they were unable to convert, forcing a punt.

Second drive: Melvin Gordon had a 3-yard run to start the drive, following with a run for no gain. The Chargers converted on third down with a 16-yard pass to Mike Williams. A 4-yard run by Austin Ekeler put the Chargers into Chiefs territory. Rivers completed another deep pass to Williams for 22 yards. A few plays later, Rivers found Allen for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Chiefs 3, Chargers 7

Third drive: The Chargers started the drive with a false start penalty followed by a short pass to Ekeler. After a run and an incompletion, the Chargers were unable to convert on third down, forcing a punt.

Fourth drive: The Chargers started the drive with a 5-yard run from Gordon. A false start penalty pushed the Chargers back, but they were able to get a first down with a 14-yard completion to Ekeler. A short 10-yard pass to Allen put the Chargers into Chiefs territory, and another completion to Allen put the Chargers into field goal range. Two plays later, Tyran Mathieu picked off Rivers in the end zone.

Second half

Fifth drive: The Chargers started the drive with back-to-back runs from Gordon for a combined 16 yards. Gordon scored on the following play with a 5-yard run Chargers 14 Chiefs 10

Sixth drive: The Chargers started the drive with a 3-yard run from Ekeler. After a 6-yard pass to Gordon, the Chargers faced third-and-short, but could not convert after a short run from Gordon. The Chargers went for it on fourth down, converting with another run from Gordon. The Chargers had another third down after a short gain and an incomplete pass, but they converted with a 19-yard pass to Hunter Henry. After a short run and a pass breakup by Tyrann Mathieu, the Chargers failed to convert on third down thanks to a sack from Terrell Suggs. The Chargers punted.

Seventh drive: After a short run from Gordon for seven yards, Ekeler ran for 22 yards to put the Chargers into Chiefs territory. After a run for no gain and an 8-yard pass to Henry, the Chargers faced third down, converting with a 6-yard run from Gordon. A lowering of the helmet penalty on the Chiefs put the Chargers into the red zone. After a short run and an 8-yard sack by Frank Clark, the Chargers had third-and-long. They got 14 yards on a screen to Gordon, but it wasn’t enough. They went for it on fourth down but Gordon was tackled short of the marker, giving the Chiefs possession.

Eighth drive: The Chargers started the drive with a short run and a false start penalty. After a pass deflection from Clark, the Chargers couldn’t convert a third down with a 13-yard pass to Allen. The Chargers went for it on fourth down, converting with a short run by Ekeler. After a run for a loss and a dropped pass, the Chargers faced third down again and converted with a 12-yard pass to Allen. Then a 6-yard run from Gordon, an incomplete pass and a 13-yard catch-and-run by Gordon gave the Chargers another set of downs. Gordon took itto the red zone with a 23-yard completion, Ekeler picked up nine yards with another — and then Rivers hit Henry with an 8-yard touchdown pass. Chiefs 24, Chargers 21

Ninth drive: On first down, Rivers could not find a receiver and scrambled for five yards. After a short pass to Ekeler, the Chargers converted on third down with a pass to Henry. Chris Jones got a sack to start the next set of downs. After back-to-back incompletions, the Chargers faced fourth down with 17 yards to gain and Rivers threw an interception to give the Chiefs possession.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Mecole Hardman returned a kickoff for a 104-yard touchdown

INJURIES

• Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill went down with an injury in the first quarter. He was carted from the field with what appeared to be a knee injury He was later ruled out of the game.
• Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland left the game in the second quarter, listed as questionable to return with an illness. He returned in the second half.
• Chiefs tight end Blake Bell was injured in the second quarter.

STATISTICS