The difference? Their methods of victory.
The Chiefs struggled offensively, disappeared in the third quarter, and were overpowered on both sides of the line.
Matthew Wright’s 31-yard field goal sealed the win. The kick hit the left upright before bouncing through as time expired.
Chiefs punter Matt Araiza and kicker Matthew Wright celebrated as the Chiefs secured a 19-17 win over the Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
This win fits neatly into a Chiefs season increasingly likely to land them the AFC’s top seed.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
1. Chiefs Deliver in the Clutch
Despite their flaws, the Chiefs thrive under pressure.
Metrics may downplay the Chiefs’ quality, both offensively and defensively. Yet their record stands at 12-1.
Trailing by a point, Kansas City crafted a 14-play, 47-yard drive, capped by the game-winning field goal. Mahomes, constantly pressured, managed a key third-and-6 connection with Travis Kelce, allowing the Chiefs to drain the clock.
It wasn’t pretty — but it worked. They keep finding ways to win, even when it’s far from perfect.
20. Struggles in Pass Protection
The Chiefs shuffled their offensive line again, benching Wanya Morris for D.J. Humphries, who hadn’t played in nearly a year.
The change didn’t fix much. The Chargers hit Mahomes 13 times, with pressure from eight different players. Even when Mahomes had time, he often acted as if he didn’t, highlighting the toll constant pressure takes.
Humphries left the game with a hamstring injury, a risk when returning from such a long layoff.
3. Running Game Abandoned Again
After acknowledging last week that they gave up on the run too quickly, the Chiefs started with five runs on their first seven plays.
Then, they reverted to their usual pattern, attempting passes on 23 of the next 25 plays. The result? Just three points over four drives.
The Chiefs aren’t running as effectively as earlier in the season, but abandoning it entirely makes their offense predictable. Sticking with the ground game might balance their approach and ease pressure on Mahomes.
4. AFC West Dominance
“Dominance” might not describe this year’s Chiefs overall, but within the division, it fits.
With this win, they clinched their ninth consecutive AFC West title. This run is unprecedented for a franchise that won just two division titles in the previous 18 years.
Even in a less polished season, their control over the division remains impressive.
5. The Playoff Picture Shifts
Sunday brought the Chiefs more than a division crown. The Bills’ loss to the Rams dropped them to 10-3, giving the Chiefs a two-game cushion in the race for the AFC’s top seed.
Heading into the week, the Chiefs had just a 51% chance of claiming the No. 1 seed due to a tougher remaining schedule. Now, their chances have significantly improved.
With games against the Browns, Texans, Steelers, and Broncos ahead, Kansas City has some margin for errors. The road to the playoffs just got smoother.