KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13 on Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, completing a season sweep behind a stifling defensive effort. A crowd of 73,073 saw the Chargers limit the Chiefs’ offense to just one touchdown. Justin Herbert led the Chargers, completing 19 of 29 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown. His 16-yard scoring strike to KeAndre Lambert-Smith with five seconds left in the first half gave Los Angeles a 10-7 lead it would not relinquish. Kicker Cameron Dicker added three field goals. Patrick Mahomes scored on a 12-yard scramble for Kansas City’s lone touchdown, but the Chiefs managed only two Harrison Butker field goals thereafter. The Chargers’ defense recorded four sacks and two interceptions. The loss dropped the Chiefs to 6-8, while the Chargers improved to 10-4.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by critical red-zone stands and a dramatic final-minute interception, the Los Angeles Chargers eked out a 16-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The win, secured before an announced crowd of 73,073, improved the Chargers to 10-4 across all competitions, solidifying their playoff positioning. The Chiefs, meanwhile, fell to 6-8, their postseason hopes taking a significant hit in a game where their offense repeatedly stalled in scoring territory. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of the fourth quarter, with the Chiefs driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown. After Patrick Mahomes was replaced by Gardner Minshew following a series of sacks, Kansas City advanced to the Los Angeles 34-yard line. On second down with 20 seconds remaining, Minshew’s pass intended for tight end Travis Kelce in the end zone was intercepted by Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. at the 18-yard line, sealing the victory for the visitors. The game was a stark contrast to the high-scoring affairs often associated with these two teams and their star quarterbacks. Both defenses dominated, combining for nine sacks and three interceptions. The Chargers’ defensive front, led by Odafe Oweh and Tuli Tuipulotu with two sacks each, harassed Mahomes throughout the day. The Chiefs’ defense was equally tenacious, with Ashton Gillotte recording an interception and part of a sack. Los Angeles never trailed but could not pull away, largely due to its own offensive struggles inside the Kansas City 10-yard line. The Chargers settled for three field goals from Cameron Dicker, including two in the third quarter that extended a slim 10-7 halftime lead to 16-13. Dicker was perfect on the day, connecting from 49, 23 and 49 yards. The Chiefs’ only touchdown came on their opening drive, a 12-yard scramble by Mahomes. After that, Kansas City’s offense was held to a pair of Harrison Butker field goals of 27 and 47 yards. The Chiefs consistently moved the ball between the 20s but could not finish drives, with a key fourth-quarter interception by Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley in the end zone thwarting another promising opportunity. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert managed the game effectively, completing 19 of 29 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown with one interception. His most significant throw was a 16-yard strike to KeAndre Lambert-Smith with five seconds remaining in the first half, giving Los Angeles a 10-7 lead at the break. The Chargers’ ground game, led by Omarion Hampton’s 61 yards on 15 carries, provided just enough balance. Mahomes finished 16 of 28 for 189 yards and added 15 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, but was sacked five times. Kelce was his top target with seven catches for 70 yards, while Rashee Rice added seven receptions for 51 yards. The Chiefs’ running game was nonexistent, managing just 36 yards on 23 carries. The victory completed a regular-season sweep for the Chargers over the Chiefs, having also won 27-21 in the season opener in Los Angeles. It defied pregame projections, as statistical models heavily favored Kansas City at home. The Chargers’ defense was the definitive story, with James’ game-sealing play the exclamation point. Linebacker Drue Tranquill, a former Chief, led all players with 14 tackles for Kansas City, while Denzel Perryman had nine for Los Angeles. Los Angeles will look to build on the momentum next Sunday when they visit the Dallas Cowboys. The Chiefs, facing a steep climb to salvage their season, travel to face the Tennessee Titans, also on Sunday.

Chiefs Host Chargers in Critical AFC West Showdown KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — A pivotal AFC West clash with playoff implications for both sides unfolds Sunday as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chargers (9-4) enter with control of the division, riding a two-game win streak following a 22-19 overtime victory over Philadelphia on Monday. The Chiefs (6-7), however, are in unfamiliar territory, sitting below .500 and desperate to stabilize their season after a 20-10 home loss to Houston last week. The matchup features a premier quarterback duel between Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. Herbert has been efficient recently, throwing for two touchdowns in a win over Las Vegas and adding a passing score while rushing for 53 yards in the overtime win against the Eagles. Mahomes, despite the Chiefs’ struggles, has shown flashes of his MVP form, throwing for four touchdowns in a narrow loss to Dallas late last month. Recent history favors the Chargers, who defeated the Chiefs 27-21 in the season opener on Sept. 5. Kansas City has lost three of its last four games, while Los Angeles has won four of its last five. The Chiefs will need to contain a balanced Chargers attack. Beyond Herbert, running backs Kimani Vidal and Omarion Hampton provided key production in the latest win. Kansas City’s offense seeks consistency after Mahomes was held to 160 yards passing by Houston. According to National Statistical, the simulation projects a Kansas City victory with a final score of 32-23. Oddsmakers list the Chargers as 6-point favorites, with an over/under set at 40.5 points. A Chiefs loss would severely damage their playoff hopes, while a Chargers win would solidify their hold on the division and bolster their positioning for the postseason. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CST on Sunday, Dec. 14. Up Next: Chargers: Visit Dallas on Sunday, Dec. 21. Chiefs: Visit Tennessee on Sunday, Dec. 21.