Within the NFL’s Week 14 episode of “Sunday Evening Soccer,” the (11-1) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are dealing with the (8-4) Los Angeles on GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium for an necessary AFC West matchup. These two groups have had 5 of their final six video games be determined by a single rating — and with a victory, the Chiefs will declare a ninth consecutive division title.
First quarter
The Chargers gained the opening coin toss, deferring the choice of possession to the second half. That gave Kansas Metropolis the ball to start this recreation, ranging from the 37-yard line after kick returner Samaje Perine gained 33 yards.
The Chiefs got here out leaning on the bottom recreation, handing off to operating again Isiah Pacheco on three consecutive performs to initially transfer the chains. Then, tight finish Travis Kelce discovered a window over the center to cross midfield and arrange Kansas Metropolis on the Chargers’ 40-yard line.
The run recreation gave the Chiefs one other first down, however the offense couldn’t advance from there. A downfield try and Kelce couldn’t be accomplished, then Mahomes was sacked on third down. That arrange a area objective, giving the Chiefs an early 3-0 lead.
The defensive entrance of the Chiefs swarmed the Chargers to begin the sport: linebacker Leo Chenal stuffed a run, then defensive deal with Tershawn Wharton earned a sack. On third and lengthy, Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert overcame the detrimental begin by threading the needle to broad receiver Quentin Johnston for 21 yards. An extra 15 yards had been rewarded for a penalty on linebacker Nick Bolton for pointless roughness.
From the Chiefs’ 40-yard line, the Chargers had been set again with a holding penalty, and couldn’t make the yardage again up. A 3rd and lengthy ended with Herbert scrambling wanting the sticks, and Los Angeles was pressured to punt from Kansas Metropolis territory.
From their very own 16-yard line, the Chiefs dug out of the field-position gap with a profitable display screen go to operating again Kareem Hunt. The offense couldn’t advance from there, unable to maintain the Chargers’ go rush out of the pocket on two straight performs. The 2 incompletions led to a punt, boomed all the way in which to the Chargers’ two-yard line.
Even with the benefit of area place, the Chiefs’ protection was unable to carry up. A fast go helped dig out of the opening, then a shot down the sphere on first down was simply accomplished for a 38-yard acquire. That put the Chargers previous midfield, on the Chiefs’ 49-yard line.
The Chiefs’ protection locked in and flew to the ball on the subsequent few performs. A display screen go was blown up by security Chamarri Conner for a three-yard loss, then cornerback Trent McDuffie completed tight protection with a deal with that pressured fourth down. The Chargers had been pressured to punt from opponent territory for the second time this recreation.
A fast go to broad receiver Xavier Worthy began the Chiefs’ subsequent drive, and led to the top of the primary quarter.
Second quarter
Mahomes moved the chains together with his toes to open the second quarter, however the Chiefs’ offense was bottled up from there. On third down, Mahomes wanted 4 yards, however couldn’t give you a approach to do it as he moved in direction of the road of scrimmage and succombed to a sack. The Chiefs needed to punt for the second consecutive drive.
The Chargers manufactured one other massive go play to start this drive, scheming broad receiver Joshua Palmer broad open down the center of the sphere. Herbert’s throw was too far, and the Chiefs’ protection adopted that up with a cease on third down. Cornerback Trent McDuffie blitzed and bought a hand on the go try, resulting in a punt.
Particular Groups
Kicker Matthew Wright made a 47-yard area objective to cap off the Chiefs’ opening drive.
Punter Matt Araiza boomed his first punt 59 yards, downed by cornerback Nazeeh Johnson on the Chargers’ two-yard line.
Punt returner Nikko Remigio gained 9 yards on a punt return within the first quarter. Within the second quarter, Remigio discovered room to achieve 21 yards and set the offense up close to midfield.
