7:02 pm | December 13, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Los Angeles Chargers battled back from 14 points down to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 29-28 at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night.
The Chargers clinched a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 with the victory an snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Chiefs.
With the win, the Chargers improved to 11-3 on the year and are still in contention for the AFC’s top seed. They are now tied with the Chiefs for the best record in the conference but would need the Chiefs to lose another game because of tie breakers.
Down 28-21 with under three minutes remaining, the Chargers marched 60 yards on eight plays, punctuated a 1-yard pass on a fade route to second-year pro Mike Williams. Instead of kicking the extra point for the tie, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn made a gutsy call and went for two on the road.
Lynn was rewarded when Williams popped open all alone in the end zone as Kansas City’s defenders failed to guard him. Williams corralled Philip Rivers‘ pass for the winning score.
The last time the Chargers had defeated the Chiefs in Kansas City was a 41-38 victory on Nov. 24, 2013.
The Chargers could win the AFC West for the first time since 2009 if Kansas City loses next week against the Seattle Seahawks or in the team’s season finale at home against the Oakland Raiders, and the Chargers win out.
The Chargers played without the services of top running back Melvin Gordon, who missed his third straight game with a sprained right knee. They also had to move forward without Keenan Allen, who suffered a hip injury in the first half and did not return.
With those two players out, Williams stepped up, finishing with seven receptions for 76 yards and two touchdown catches. Williams also had a 19-yard touchdown run in the second half.
Williams became the first wide receiver for the Chargers with a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game since Tim Dwight on Oct. 13, 2002. That also came against the Chiefs, per ESPN Stats & Information.
Also, per ESPN Stats & Information, Chargers are 2-1 on the road this season when trailing by 14-plus points (won Week 13 at Steelers). The rest of the NFL is 3-78.
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