MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Inglewood) – Harrison Butker kicked a 41-yard field goal with 41 seconds left to give Kansas City a 13-12 win over the Chargers Sunday before 68,274 fans at SoFi Stadium. Cameron Dicker booted four field goals for the Chargers but they failed to get in the endzone and they fell short.

The Chargers drove down to the Kansas City three-yard line on their first possession but on third and two Easton Stick, playing in place of the injured Justin Herbert, was hit by Charles Omenihu and fumbled. Mike Edwards scooped it up and raced 97 yards for a touchdown to put the Chiefs up 7-0 with 4:56 left in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter the Chiefs attempted a fake punt and La’Mical Perine gained nine yards on a direct snap to pick up the first down in Charger territory. That led to a 22-yard field goal by Butker to make it 10-0 with 4:03 left in the second.

On the Chargers next possession a pass interference penalty on Quentin Johnston led to a 49-yard field goal by Dicker to cut Kansas City’s lead to 10-3 late in the second quarter.

Alohi Glman intercepted Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert deep in Chargers territory with over a minute still remaining in the second quarter. Gabbert was playing for starter Partick Mahomes who was taking the day off with the Chiefs having already clinched the AFC West title.

The Chargers then marched down to the Kansas City 22 yard line where Dicker hit a 40-yard field goal as time ran out in the first half.

The Chiefs took a 10-6 lead into halftime.

The Chargers moved the ball down to the Chiefs 25-yard line in the third quarter but the drive was stalled there when Stick was sacked by Chris Jones. Dicker kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 10-9 with 4:11 left in the third.

In the fourth quarter the Chargers used 18 plays to go 84 yards but Austin Ekeler was stopped at the two-yard line on third down. The Chargers called on Dicker “The Kicker” once again and he delivered with a 20-yard field goal to put LA up 12-10 with 4:06 left in the game.

The Chiefs answered with a 41-yard field goal by Butker with 49 seconds left to regain the lead 13-12 and it proved to be the game winner.

The Chargers had one last shot but Stick’s pass on fourth and two from the LA 33 fell incomplete and the Chiefs secured the victory.

Stick completed 28 of 47 for 258 yards for the Chargers and he also led the team in rushing with 77 yards on 13 carries. Donald Parham Jr. had five catches for 83 yards but the Chargers were shut out of the endzone.

For the Chiefs Gabbert was 15 of 30 for 154 yards and an interception. Mecole Hardman Jr. had six catches for 77 yards and Perine rushed for 76 yards on 221 carries. Kansas City’s only score was on the defensive side but it was enough on this day.

The Chargers finished the season 5-12 overall while the Chiefs improved to 11-6 and now look forward to the playoffs.