When Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett intercepted an Alex Smith pass inside Chiefs territory early in the fourth quarter, it was hard to see a way that the game ended with anything but a San Diego win.
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He had plenty of things to lament, too.
Down 24-3 at one point, the Chiefs offense started clicking when quarterback Alex Smith was featured in the shotgun and at an up tempo pace. The Chiefs lost that game in overtime 27-24. The Chargers would end up punting on their first drive, and attempting three consecutive field goals on the following three drives, one which was missed from 54 yards out. “But there Smith was, calmly chipping away at the San Diego Chargers’ lead, then leading a game-tying drive in the final minute, then running in for a walk-off touchdown to win in overtime”.
San Diego never even got a chance in overtime.
He had four catches for 41 yards in the fourth quarter alone, and his 5-yard touchdown run with 1:09 left in regulation helped Kansas City complete the biggest comeback in franchise history. The touchdown completed their stunning comeback – and the Chargers’ equally stunning collapse. I wish I could give you a deep analysis of this game.
In the fourth quarter, it was all Chiefs.
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen left the field on a cart after suffering what looked like a serious right knee injury with less than 2 minutes left in the first half. I just think everybody kind of put their foot down and said: ‘Let’s go. Will have more information after further evaluation. Allen – who had six catches for 63 yards in the first half – missed the last eight games last season?with a lacerated kidney. And while they did restructure Rivers’ contract to free up some cap space and get under the cap.they still only have about $2.2 million in cap space to work with.
Smith threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, the second a back-shoulder fade to Jeremy Maclin with just over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“He’s an emotional player”, Reid said, “and has a knack for making plays when you need them”.
Key stat: Tyrell Williams’ two catches in the game averaged 38.5 yards. Woodhead would eventually score his first touchdown of the season by snagging a short pass from Rivers, allowing the Chargers to go up 21-3.
The Chargers opened the 2016 season looking like anything but the team that lost 12 games past year, including its last eight in the AFC West.
Not that he wanted to dwell on his performance: “We have to watch the film and look at every play and analyze what we could have done better”, he said.
The Chiefs played without star pass rusher Justin Houston, who could be out until November as he recovers from ACL surgery in February.
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The San Diego Chargers (0-1) are coming from a devastating 33-27 OT loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers said All.
