NFL: Chiefs can the Chargers in overtime to hang on to big winning streak

Inglewood, California - The Kansas City Chiefs continue to cruise on with a big divisional win over their rival Los Angeles Chargers to open up Week 15 of the NFL season.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (l) threw for three TDs against the Chargers on Thursday night.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (l) threw for three TDs against the Chargers on Thursday night.  © Imago/UPI Photo

The Chiefs beat the Chargers 34-28 on Thursday night to extend their AFC West lead over Los Angeles.

This win is Kansas City’s seventh-straight, the longest winning streak in the league.

For the Chargers, they lost out on a three-game winning streak of their own in falling to the Chiefs.

The battle went back and forth, with Kansas City grabbing the lead first 10-0 after the start of the second quarter.

However, LA then scored two straight touchdowns to lead by four points at halftime.

The third quarter had more fails than successes, as only three points were added to the board in the Chiefs’ favor, and they were still down by one heading into the fourth.

Both teams traded more touchdowns – starting with LA – but after a 28-28 tie sent things into overtime, Kansas City drove the ball down the field first with a game-winning touchdown to end the night.

The player spotlight

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught the game-winning touchdown for his team on Thursday night.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught the game-winning touchdown for his team on Thursday night.  © imago/Icon SMI

Kansas City’s ninth-year tight end Travis Kelce (32) was the difference-maker when everything was said and done.

Practically unstoppable throughout the game, each pass he caught racked up an average of just under 20 yards per reception.

He caught just under 200 total yards of offense for a career-best and caught two crucial touchdowns – one that tied the game in the fourth quarter and the other that won it for the Chiefs.

Kelce finished the game with 10 total catches for a team-high 191 yards and two touchdowns.

The big picture

Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid (l.) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (r.) during their Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid (l.) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (r.) during their Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Chargers.  © Imago/UPI Photo

Kansas City is one step closer to winning a sixth-straight AFC West division championship.

With the current lead that they have over the second-place Chargers, they must win two out of their final three regular-season games to clinch the title.

At this point in the season, previous talk about how shaky and out-of-place the Chiefs seemed during September and October has disappeared. Now, Kansas City looks to be well on their way to a deep playoff run in January.

Next Sunday, the Chiefs (10-4) will host the Steelers (6-6-1) while the Chargers (8-6) will be on the road to take on the Texans (2-11).

Cover photo: Imago/UPI Photo

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