The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl Champions are never an easy task, as the Chargers have now dropped six straight games against the Chiefs.
It was evident Los Angeles would need a near-perfect game to hang with its high-powered divisional foe, especially considering the numerous key Chargers who missed Sunday’s game. Both offensive tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, were sidelined with injuries, while defensive anchors Joey Bosa and Derwin James missed the contest with an injury and a one-game suspension, respectively.
While LA was missing stars on both sides of the ball, they remained competitive throughout. In fact, the Chargers led for the first two and a half quarters, but were shutout in the second half.
The Chargers jumped on top midway through the first quarter on their first drive, when Justin Herbert found rookie receiver Ladd McConkey for a seven-yard touchdown. The No. 34 overall pick out of Georgia had his best day yet as a pro, leading the team with five catches for 67 yards, including his first quarter touchdown.
While Herbert did not shine statistically, his pass catchers and protection frequently let him down. Herbert completed 16 of his 27 pass attempts for 179 and one touchdown, often impressively navigating collapsing pockets. While the banged-up line held up decently well through three quarters, the team ultimately felt Alt and Slater’s absence in the fourth quarter, right when the Chargers were looking to tie the game. Herbert seemingly had a defender in his face every drop back, completing just one of five passes in the fourth.
After mightily impressing through two weeks, LA’s rushing attack was held in check for the second straight week. The unit finished with just 55 yards rushing, as J.K. Dobbins led the team with 32 yards. Dobbins’ hot start to 2024 has cooled off significantly, as the run-first Harbaugh philosophy has stuttered.
In a similar fashion to last week’s loss versus the Steelers, LA’s offense struggled and failed to score in the second half. The Chargers converted just 12 first downs and went 4-13 on third down attempts. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s unit was forced to punt six times and accounted for seven of LA’s nine penalties.
Another parallel to week three’s contest: defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s unit kept Los Angeles in the game.
The Chargers defense forced two turnovers on Kansas City’s first five offensive snaps. Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu stripped Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele on the team’s opening drive in Chargers territory.
After LA’s offense capitalized with a touchdown, cornerback Kristian Fulton would intercept Patrick Mahomes on Kansas City’s first play of its second drive. That meant the Chargers set up shop on the Chiefs’ 20-yard-line and LA came away with the team’s final three points of the game.
On the other side of the ball, the Chargers defense saw solid production from two of its 2024 free agency acquisitions.
Veteran defensive end Bud Dupree made an impact, sacking Mahomes twice in this contest. The 10th-year pass rusher inked a two-year deal with Los Angeles in May, providing depth behind Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Just behind Dupree and company, linebacker Denzel Perryman led the team with 6 tackles, as his return to Los Angeles is off to a good start. Perryman signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in March, returning to the team who drafted him in 2015 after stints in Las Vegas and Houston.
Dupree and Perryman highlighted an impressive performance for Los Angeles’ defense, as they held Mahomes and company in check and kept the Chargers within striking distance until the end.
Mahomes completed 19 of his 29 pass attempts for 245 yards, with one touchdown and one interception—an adequate performance for the two-time MVP. Travis Kelce had his best game of 2024 after a slow start, leading the team with 89 yards on seven receptions.
Rookie Xavier Worthy also shined in Rashee Rice’s injury-enforced absence, totaling 73 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown in the second to open the score for Kansas City. Newly re-acquired running back Kareem Hunt had a solid homecoming, accounting for 85 yards on 16 total touches.
It’s not often one sees the reigning champions give up two early turnovers and only score 17 points, but it was enough for them to leave SoFi Stadium with a perfect 4-0 record.
The Chargers will head into a needed bye week, which should help Alt, Bosa, Slater and even Herbert fully recover from their injuries.
Los Angeles will travel to Denver to take on the Broncos in week six.