The Kansas City Chiefs held off the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in the Amazon Prime Video (regular-season) debut of Thursday Night Football, and in an AFC West clash featuring two Super Bowl contenders.
The game-changing play came during a 17-17 tie in the fourth quarter when Kansas City seventh-round rookie Jaylen Watson intercepted a Justin Herbert pass on first-and-goal and took it all the way back for a 99-yard pick-six.
Jaylen Watson — a seventh-round rookie — with a 99-YARD PICK-SIX on a Justin Herbert pass for the Chiefs TD! 🏈🔥 pic.twitter.com/IWU2FPJOKy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 16, 2022
Later, with Kansas City up 27-17, it appeared that Herbert may be done for the game after taking a big hit to the ribs.
Herbert left the game for one play (replaced by Chase Daniel) but returned and played through injury (the Chargers provided an update on Herbert’s injury status after the game). It was clearly bothering Herbert and prevented him from running for an easy first down one play, but then he followed it up with an incredible dime on fourth down.
Justin Herbert — in clear pain — goes from being able to hardly move on one play to throwing an incredible dime on the next. Amazing. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/EDq9AnIyY1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 16, 2022
And later on the drive, Herbert threw a touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer to make it a one-score game.
Justin Herbert later threw a touchdown on the drive. pic.twitter.com/cqooAuBFR6
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 16, 2022
Against most teams and quarterbacks, Herbert — who completed 33-of-48 passes for 334 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a 100.5 passer rating — would’ve come out on the winning end in a very admirable effort.
But, Herbert was facing another superstar quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, who completed 24-of-35 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 106.2 passer rating. Mahomes showed off his otherworldly, magical skills on the touchdown passes.
Patrick Mahomes magic for the Chiefs TD! 🏈🪄 pic.twitter.com/1NRl4P4Lrq
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 16, 2022
Patrick Mahomes DIME for the Chiefs touchdown! 🏈🔥 pic.twitter.com/3x1fFlSIvi
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 16, 2022
The Chiefs overcame a 10-0 deficit and didn’t score until 11:38 remained in the second quarter.
The game also featured an incredible Mike Williams touchdown catch, Derwin James going full WWE on Travis Kelce, and the Chargers getting a backdoor cover.
This is likely one of the many entertaining, competitive battles we’ll see between Mahomes and Herbert in the future. They’ll face each other again on Nov. 20 in Los Angeles, and maybe they’ll meet in the AFC playoffs as well. And they could be a battle all season long for the AFC West title.
But, for the Chargers to contend for the AFC West title, Herbert will need to be healthy. He’s getting x-rays on Thursday night.
Justin Herbert just left the locker room and walked into the X-Ray room. He had his left arm tight against his side. He got drilled in the ribs and missed a play but did return to the game. More to come.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 16, 2022
Here’s a look at how the NFL world is reacting to the Chiefs’ win and the main storylines from Thursday Night Football:
The Chiefs are now 22-3 with Patrick Mahomes as their starter in AFC West.
No QB has guided his team to more wins in his first 25 divisional games since the NFL merger in 1970.
They’ve owned the AFC West.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 16, 2022
Patrick Mahomes is now 10-8 (.556) in his career when he trails by 10+ after the first quarter.
Everyone else is 147-832 (.150) in such situations since 2018.
— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) September 16, 2022
The Chiefs don’t care who you added to your roster in the off-season. THEY STILL OWN THE DIVISION. It’s funny that the one concern people had was the Chiefs’ defense and they end up making the play that wins them the game.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 16, 2022
Justin Herbert appreciation tweet
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2022
Patrick Mahomes faced a heavy blitz rate for the second straight game.
The Chargers blitzed Mahomes on 13 of 36 dropbacks (36%) after blitzing him at a 25%-or-lower rate in both matchups last season.
🔹 Mahomes vs Blitz (tonight): 8/13, 103 yards, TD#LACvsKC | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/0NPORLGhFh
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 16, 2022
Herbert had just TWO pass attempts thrown over 17 yards downfield
results?
2-for-2, 74 total yards
15 attempts at or behind the LOS…
2 attempts beyond 17 yardswhat are we even doing here
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 16, 2022
Three years ago, Jaylen Watson was working at a Wendy's while he was trying to find somewhere to continue playing football.
Tonight, he has a 99-yard INT of Justin Herbert in his 2nd career NFL game.
Perseverance would be an understatement.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 16, 2022