Final: Kansas City Chiefs 23 San Diego Chargers 20
- Updated: October 19, 2014
Quick Summary:
The San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs would go back and forth at one another throughout this contest between the two AFC foes. The game would eventually come down to the final possession of the game by the Kansas City Chiefs. They would convert on some very crucial 3rd downs to keep their drive going with under 2 minutes left in the game. The Chiefs would attempt a 48-yard field goal with the Chiefs kicker only having a career long field goal of 45 yards. It would squeeze through the upright giving the Chiefs the lead and, ultimately, the victory in San Diego, 23-20.
The Chargers would play well but not well enough in this one as their offense would have their moments but would not be the typical beautiful vertical game by the Chargers. The Chiefs would play terrific defense against the seemingly to-date, MVP Philip Rivers. Rivers would barely go over the 200 yard mark for the day.
Game Recap:
Both sides would play impressive defense to begin the game as both sides would have a total of 4 punts to start the game. Late in the 1st quarter, the Chargers would finally put a nice drive together as Chargers’ quarterback, Philip Rivers, would lead the team down the field and get a passing touchdown to a Chargers’ tight end not named Antonio Gates. This time, it would be John Phillips. The drive would be 5 plays for 63 yards. The Chargers would be the first to score, 0-7, Chargers.
The Chiefs would not be too far behind the Chargers as they would put a similar drive together except the Chiefs would do it on the ground with running back, Jamal Charles. A 16-yard rush for a touchdown would be the equalizer as the Chiefs would tie the game at 7-7 at the beginning of the 2nd quarter.
After a punt by the Chargers, the Chiefs would continue with their running ways as they would slowly but surely march down the field on a 14 play drive only netting 56 yards but it would be enough for a 28-yard field goal attempt and make by Cairo Santos giving the Chiefs the lead at 10-7 late in the second quarter.
The Chargers would only start their next drive with 55 seconds on the clock but the bolts would be aggressive and stick to throwing the ball through the air with Rivers which would be very successful on this drive going 80 yards on 6 plays in just 41 seconds. This year, there really is not another quarterback that can move the ball down the field that quick like Rivers did on this drive. The drive would be capped of with a 27 yard pass to Antonio Gates making the score going into the half, 10-14, Chargers.
On the opening drive of the 2nd half, the Chiefs would do another long, multiple play drive to but would be held to only a 40-yard field goal attempt and make making the score, 13-14, Chargers still in the lead.
After a couple of punts by both sides, the Chiefs would again be the next to strike with a drive lasting over 7 minutes. The Chargers would have multiple opportunities to stop the Chiefs offense on this drive but penalties would kill the bolts which would give the Chiefs many different times to continue their drive. Eventually, the Chiefs would end the drive with a 11 yard pass from quarterback, Alex Smith, to fullback, Anthony Sherman, giving the Chiefs the lead, 20-14 at the start of the 4th quarter.
On the Chargers following drive, they would have a good balance of running and passing as Rivers would make a couple nice connections to wide receiver, Malcom Floyd, while also handing the ball off to running back, Brandon Oliver for several nice gains. Unfortunately, though, once the bolts entered the red zone, three quick incompletions into the end zone would force a field goal attempt but Nick Novak which would be good making the game 20-17 with the Chiefs still in the lead.
Following a Chiefs punt, the Chargers would have another opportunity to put points on the board. The bolts would face a 3rd and long early in the drive but Rivers would scramble out of the pocket and find wide receiver, Keenan Allen, to convert and get the 1st down. The Chargers would begin to roll as they would move the ball down the field but would be held once again to a field goal attempt of 48 yards. Luckily, the bolts have one of the best kickers in the NFL in Novak as he would convert on the field goal try tieing the game up for the Chargers at 20-20 late in the 4th quarter.
The Chiefs would get the ball back deep in their own territory with under 2 minutes left in the game. The Chiefs, even with only 1 timeout, would play perfect time management as they would work their way down the field until 26 seconds only left on the clock. Santos would attempt a 48-yard field goal to win the game and…Santos would convert just barely moving inside the right upright. Now the score would be 23-20, Chiefs now in the lead with only 21 seconds left and 2 timeouts still remaining by the Chargers.
Quick Statistics:
San Diego Chargers:
Quarterback, Philip Rivers: 17-31, 205 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Running back, Branden Oliver: 15 carries, 67 rushing yards
Tight end, Antonio Gates: 3 receptions, 61 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
Wide receiver, Malcom Floyd: 3 receptions, 50 receiving yards
Wide receiver, Keenan Allen: 6 receptions, 58 receiving yards
Safety, Eric Weddle: 13 total tackles
Kansas City Chiefs:
Quarterback, Alex Smith: 19-28, 221 passing yards, 1 touchdown
Running back, Jamaal Charles: 22 carries, 95 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe: 5 receptions, 84 receiving yards
Linebacker, Justin Houston: 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
For more analysis on the San Diego Chargers and their upcoming opponents, stick here at Calisportsnews.com. All Cali, all the time.
Related Posts
About Guest Writer
