Make it 24 and 29.
Trailing 17-16, Mahomes began Sunday’s final drive with consecutive incomplete passes to Isiah Pacheco, but recovered to complete a short pass up the middle that Xavier Worthy converted for a first down. Two plays later, Mahomes escaped the Chargers’ pressure to advance 10 yards into Los Angeles territory as the clock approached the two-minute warning.
But it was a third-and-7 play from the Chargers’ 20-yard line where Mahomes effectively sealed the victory. After escaping pressure, Mahomes launched a short throw to his favorite target, Travis Kelce, for a first down with just over a minute left.
Now well into field goal range, and with the Chargers out of timeouts, Mahomes & Co. simply needed to kill the clock before substitute kicker Matthew Wright’s 31-yard kick.
Only instead of splitting the uprights, as injured kicker Harrison Butker has done so many times, Wright’s attempt resonated off the left upright to seal the 19-17 victory and give Kansas City (12-1) its ninth crown. consecutive AFC West.
Patrick Mahomes (15) prepares before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers survived a scary moment early in the game when Herbert appeared to be seriously injured after being hit by Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton.
Herbert collided with Bolton and was shaken after he scrambled to his right on third-and-10 and threw a deep pass to Quentin Johnston. The fifth-year quarterback stayed on the field for a few minutes, with coaches watching his left leg, and walked slowly toward the sideline.
Johnston’s shot was canceled out by a penalty. Taylor Heinicke replaced Herbert and the Chargers punted, their sixth consecutive drive to open the game that ended with a punt.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, Herbert re-entered the game on the Chargers’ next drive and ultimately put together two scoring drives in the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead.
Herbert was strong for three quarters Sunday, completing 17 of 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown throw to receiver Quentin Johnson.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after an injury during the first half