Chiefs edge Chargers on Butker’s 58-yard FG, spoil Herbert’s debut
CHIEFS 23, CHARGERS 20 (OT)
Harrison Butker kicked a 58-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining in overtime, and the Kansas City Chiefs survived a superlative first start by rookie Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to beat Los Angeles 23-20 on Sunday.
Butker’s game-winner was his third field goal of the day and his second from 58 yards, which tied a Chiefs’ record for distance. He nailed a 30-yarder on the final play of regulation.
In overtime, Butker sent the ball through the uprights from 53 yards, but KC was called for a false start. Then the Chargers called timeout, giving him a rehearsal kick from 58 that he also made before the one that counted.
Patrick Mahomes completed less than half of his passes in the first half for only the third time in his career but rallied to finish 27 of 47 for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Tyreek Hill (five catches, 99 yards) and Travis Kelce (nine receptions, 90 yards) each had TD receptions.
Playing their first game at SoFi Stadium, the Chargers (1-1) won the coin toss in overtime but went threeand-out. The Chiefs (2-0) got the ball at their 21 and went 39 yards in 13 plays.
Herbert was 22 of 33 for 311 yards with a touchdown and interception, becoming the ninth quarterback since the merger to have a 300-yard game in his NFL debut.
Herbert, the sixth overall pick in April’s draft, got the call after Tyrod Taylor re-aggravated a rib injury during pregame warmups. Coach Anthony Lynn said he found out just before the coin toss that Taylor was unable to play and that Taylor was taken to a hospital.
Herbert passed and rushed for touchdowns in the first half, becoming the first player since Bob Clatterbuck of the New York Giants in 1954 to do that in his debut. He joined Cam Newton and Otto Graham as the only QB’s to throw for 300 yards and have a rushing TD in their first game.
The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs beat the Chargers for the 12th time in 13 meetings.
After Hill’s 55-yard touchdown and 2-point conversion to tie it with 12:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, Herbert and the Chargers went on a 10-minute drive, resulting in Michael Badgley’s 23yard field goal with 2:30 remaining.
Badgley’s 41-yard kick midway through the third quarter extended the Chargers’ lead to 17-6 before the Chiefs rallied to tie it. Butker’s first 58-yarder pulled them within eight.
Herbert’s only ill-advised throw came late in the third quarter when he was picked off by L’Jarius
Snead deep in Chiefs territory instead of taking the rushing yards on a scramble.
Kansas City took advantage, driving 95 yards in six plays. Mahomes rolled left and connected with Hill, who caught it at the LA 6 before getting into the end zone.
Herbert drove the Chargers 79 yards in eight plays after the opening kickoff, culminating in a 4-yard rollout off right end. It was the first rushing TD by a Chargers QB in nine years.