Chiefs were getting pounded on defense until this moment changed Sunday’s game
On its first series, the Chiefs’ defense was feeling gassed.
The Chargers had trudged the length of the field, with 17 plays consuming more than nine minutes of clock. At this rate, a long afternoon awaited the Chiefs, who were playing mostly reserves ahead of the playoffs.
The 18th play of that drive changed everything.
Chargers quarterback Easton Stick was taken down behind the line by defensive end Charles Omenihu, who also jarred loose the football.
The ball took one bounce on the SoFi Stadium turf and landed in the arms of safety Mike Edwards, who played it like a shortstop fielding an easy hop. Edwards went right and sprinted, turning his head to teammates as he flew past the Chiefs’ sideline, and crossed the end zone for a 97-yard touchdown.
It was the only touchdown in a 13-12 Chiefs victory left Edwards elated — and exhausted.
“That was a long drive, I ain’t going to lie,” Edwards said. “I was tired for sure.”
Like Omenihu and Edwards, a third Chiefs player also made a big contribution on the play. Cornerback Joshua Williams’s block of tight end Stone Smartt ensured Edwards had an unobstructed path to the end zone.
It was the longest play of the Chiefs’ season, and it undoubtedly energized the team — even if plays like that weren’t necessarily expected in this game. Because the Chiefs had clinched their playoff seed (No. 3 in the AFC) a week ago, KC coach Andy Reid decided to rest many of his starters — including offensive stars like quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
On defense, star defensive lineman Chris Jones played, but guys like safety Justin Reid, cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie and linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay did not.
The reserves got the job done anyway.
Edwards’ participation was limited. The Chiefs went largely with Deon Bush and rookie Chamarri Conner at safety. The touchdown was supposed to be Edwards’ final play, but he later reentered the game when Conner sat with an injury.
The play marked the Chiefs’ second defensive touchdown of the season, and Edwards was involved in that one, as well. Against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, Edwards recovered a fumble by wide receiver and former Chief Tyreek Hill.
Edwards advanced the ball 4 yards before lateraling to fellow safety Bryan Cook, who covered the final 59 yards.
Edwards, in his first year with the Chiefs after spending his first four NFL seasons in Tampa Bay, knows his way to the end zone. Sunday’s TD marked his fourth career touchdown, with the first three coming on interception returns with the Bucs.
This was his longest yet.
“Never went the length of the field,” he said.
The play’s distance reminded of another Chiefs game-changing play against the Chargers. Last season in Kansas City, Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson went 99 yards with a Justin Herbert interception to pave the way to a three-point victory.
This season, Edwards’ two fumble recoveries ties for the team lead with Cook, and Sunday’s play reduced some pressure felt by a defense that’s had an excellent season ... except in one area.
The Chiefs limit points and get sacks. What they haven’t done well this season is create turnovers. They entered the game tied for 27th with 17 takeaways.
Because KC quarterback Blaine Gabbert tossed an interception, the Chiefs broke even in the turnover battle Sunday. Only twice this year have they finished ahead of the opponent in turnovers.
They broke even, at least, on Sunday ... and because of the impact of Edwards’ big play, this turnover ratio felt like a victory.