Chiefs never out of a game with magnificent Mahomes
INGLEWOOD
The Kansas City Chiefs can’t repeat as Super Bowl champions if they continue to fall way behind, can they?
Perhaps not, but Patrick Mahomes is their quarterback.
Remember, he’s different from everyone else.
Mahomes threw a spectacular touchdown pass Sunday that coach Andy Reid said no one else can throw, and for the fourth time in five games dating to last season’s playoffs, the Chiefs rallied for a victory — 23-20 over the Chargers, in overtime — after trailing by double digits in points.
“We just didn’t finish up against the champions,” said coach Anthony Lynn said after the Chargers’ home opener at the huge canopied stadium the team will share with the Rams. “When you go against the champions, it can’t come down to a decision. You have to knock them out.”
The Chiefs overcame a punishing Chargers defense and an impressive NFL debut by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, who started the game after Tyrod Taylor headed to the sideline and the hospital with chest pain.
The Chiefs (2-0) looked to have a Super Bowl hangover for the better part of three quarters. They couldn’t block, get their receivers open or tackle with consistency. They had been outgained 403-198.
The Chargers (1-1) had to know victory wasn’t theirs, not after seeing the Chiefs rally against the Texans, Titans and 49ers last winter to win the Super Bowl tournament. Yet instead of earning a rare win against Reid’s program, which is 12-3 against them since 2014, the Chargers lost another close game a year after going 2-9 in games decided by eight points or fewer.
“Very frustrating,” said defensive end Joey Bosa. “It’s happened before. Too many times.”
Reid said no other NFL quarterback can make a deep, accurate throw on the run as Mahomes did late in the third quarter to spur the comeback, following a hugely important mistake by Herbert.
Mahomes rolled right and sprang forward off his right foot, chucking the ball a beat before linebacker Denzel Perryman rushed into his front side.
Deep downfield, savvy cornerback Chris Harris saw Mahomes cut loose his throw. Harris, an All-pro in 2016, seemed to have a good angle.
But the ball kept going. And going.
In all, it traveled 55 yards. Though Harris whirled and sprinted, the ball cleared him as Chiefs speedster Tyreek Hill surged forward.
“That’s just who he is,” said Harris of Mahomes. “He’s a great quarterback who can make that type of throw.”
Hill caught the pass at the 7, landed at the 3 and somersaulted into the end zone.
There would be more special play-making from Mahomes, who after the heave found his apparent third option for two points, tying the score at 17.
But it was what Mahomes didn’t do that also stood out.
He never threw an interception or fumbled, despite much duress.
The Chiefs keep winning these games because the Chargers make too many turnovers — or ones they can’t overcome, such as Herbert’s interception at Kansas City’s 5 with Los Angeles ahead 17-9 late in the third quarter.
Against the Chiefs last year, Philip Rivers had six interceptions, undermining a defense that held Mahomes to an average of 180 passing yards in the two defeats.
Herbert was having a fine game when he made a poor decision.
He rolled left, with plenty of unoccupied fake grass in front of him to pick up the first down on second-and-2 at Kansas City’s 39.
But the rookie pulled up, pivoted and lobbed the ball deep over the middle, into traffic, where rookie cornerback L’jarius Snead snagged it.
Maybe it would’ve worked against Oregon State, but these were the Super Bowl champs. Revived, they outgained the Chargers 214-76 and outscored them 17-3 to punish that mistake and others.
“It’s something I’ll watch and learn from,” Herbert said.
The rookie had a few lesser miscues, including a busted play later in the half, forcing the Chargers to accept a field goal, which the Chiefs would answer to force overtime.
Mostly, Herbert showed traits that led the team to draft him sixth overall out of Oregon and guarantee him $26.6 million.
Aided by a good ground game and clean play designs, he was poised and under control. He displayed very good arm strength on a 14-yard touchdown to the corner of the end zone and good sprint speed. He made a deft throw over a Chiefs defender, allowing Keenan Allen to make a play.
“I just really like what I’m seeing from him,” Bosa said. “He has a good head on his shoulders. It’s going to be fun to watch him grow.”
The Chiefs didn’t grab a lead Sunday until Harrison Butker nailed the winning kick, his second 58-yarder of the day. In warmups, he made one from 70 yards. Per ESPN, he connected on a 77-yarder this past offseason, albeit with a tailwind.
Lynn called for a timeout the first time Butker attempted his game-winner, and the officials granted it a moment before the kick went between the uprights. After regrouping, Butker striped the next placement, wheeling and raising his arms in triumph before the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Mahomes’ exploits included running for 21 yards on third-and-20, leading to Butker’s 30-yard kick that forced overtime.
A quarterback who led them to a 6-0 mark last year in games they trailed by 10-plus points, per the Kansas City Star, and a kicker who made the Kroenke Dome look small were enough Sunday, sending the Chiefs to their 11th straight win.