Chiefs grades: Average marks for KC ... except for special teams, which won this game
Grading the Chiefs’ 23-20 overtime survival of the Los Angeles Chargers in an empty SoFi Stadium Sunday.
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Harrison Butker lined up for a 53-yard field to win the game. The two-minute warning created the first delay. A false start by Nick Allegretti pushed it back to 58 yards. And the Chargers took their final timeout. Through all of that Butker proved why is one of the NFL’s top kickers and drilled his second 58-yarder.
Reason to hope: The Chiefs rallied, just as they did throughout the postseason. Trailing 17-6 in the third quarter, they battled back to force overtime. The Chargers won the coin toss but the Chiefs made a big stop and forced a punt to set up the game-winning field goal. The Chiefs didn’t play well for three quarters and had enough to defeat a Chargers team with a solid defense.
Reason to mope: After three quarters, the Chiefs looked roughed up. Then they became the Chiefs, with a Patrick Mahomes’ deep ball to Tyreek Hill for a 54-yard touchdown, and a terrific two-point conversation pass to Mecole Hardman. But when the Chiefs needed a defensive stop, they surrendered a 10-minute drive that resulted in a go-ahead field goal. And a rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert, passed for 311 yards in his first NFL start.
Next: The Chiefs travel to Baltimore to meet the Ravens on Sept. 28, a Monday Night Football appearance.
Report card
Passing offense: B
The Chargers excelled at taking way the Chiefs wide receivers, and their speed through three quarters. The Chargers got one sack of Mahomes but they kept up the pressure with a four-man rush, hit him constantly and hounded the passing offense into a slow start.
But Mahomes’ 54-yard touchdown pass to Hill goes on the highlight reel. Hill’s helmet came off after the game. Broadcasters said the Chiefs could have penalized for that and that could have ended their two-point play opportunity. Hill said after the game his helmet was coming off and he didn’t remove it purposely. Mahomes finished with 302 passing yards. Hill had 99 receiving yards and Travis Kelce added 90.
Rushing offense: B
Clyde Edwards-Helaire motored for 17 yards on his first touch. Darwin Thompson had a couple of nice runs, and Mahomes scrambled for several first downs and was the team’s top rusher with 54 yards. Thompson’s tough run on 4th-and-1 in overtime kept the game-winning drive alive. His biggest play as a member of the Chiefs? But not a good day for a much-penalized offensive line.
Passing defense: D
The depleted secondary got even thinner with an injury to Antonio Hamilton. Tyrann Mathieu had a beauty of a pass breakup in the end zone. Rookie Mike Danna got his career first sack. But on the next play, Herbert dropped a wonderful ball to Keenan Allen. L’Jarius Sneed came up with his second interception in as many games. For a quarterback making his first start and knowing about it until about game time, give Herbert all the credit
Rushing defense D
Austin Ekeler just kills the Chiefs. It’s usually catching passes out of the backfield but he did most of his damage with his running, finishing with 91 yards on 15 carries. Rookie Joshua Kelley added 64 yards. Not a good day for the run defense.
Special teams: A
Harrison Butker boomed his second 58-yard field goal on the final play of the game. Both would have been good from more than 60. He richly deserved his postgame shoulder ride. The distance matches Nick Lowery for the franchise record. Also, Willie Gay, Jr., got his hands on a punt for a partial block. But long snapper James Winchester was called for holding on an extra point and Butker’s 43-yard attempt was blocked. But with Butker’s game, mistakes can be overlooked in the grade.
This story was originally published September 20, 2020 at 7:03 PM.