Make that 24 and 29.
Trailing 17-16, Mahomes started Sunday’s final drive with consecutive incompletions to Isiah Pacheco, but bounced back and completed a short pass over the middle that Xavier Worthy converted for a first down. Two plays later, Mahomes escaped the Chargers’ pass rush and advanced 10 yards into LA territory as the clock neared the two-minute warning.
But it was a third-and-7 play from the Chargers’ 20-yard line where Mahomes effectively sealed the victory. After escaping the pressure, Mahomes threw a short throw to his favorite target, Travis Kelce, for a first down with just over a minute remaining.
Now well within field goal range, and with the Chargers out of timeouts, Mahomes & Co. didn’t have to. simply killing the clock before replacement kicker Matthew Wright made the 31-yard kick from replacement kicker Matthew Wright.
Only instead of splitting the uprights, as injured kicker Harrison Butker has done so often, Wright’s effort came in off the left upright to seal the 19-17 win and give Kansas City (12-1) a ninth straight AFC West to deliver the crown.
Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after an injury in the first half
The Chargers survived a scary moment earlier in the game when quarterback Justin Herbert appeared to be seriously injured when he was knocked down by Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton.
Herbert collided with Bolton and was rocked after scrambling to his right on third-and-10 and throwing a deep pass to Quentin Johnston. The fifth-year quarterback stood on the field for a few minutes as coaches watched his left leg and slowly walked to the sideline.
Johnston’s finish was canceled out by a penalty. Taylor Heinicke replaced Herbert and the Chargers punted – their sixth straight drive to open the game that ended with a punt.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, Herbert re-entered the game on the Chargers’ next series, eventually sparking two scoring drives in the third quarter to take a 14–13 lead.
Herbert was strong for three quarters Sunday, completing 17 of 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown throw to receiver Quentin Johnson.