Chargers frustrated after Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes directs winning TD drive

The Chiefs Travis Kelce, left, begins to celebrate after scoring the game winning touchdown with less than a minute to play as the Chargers J.T. Woods, rigtht, looks on at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, can not escape the grasp of the Chargers Sebastian Joseph-Day, right, during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Austin Ekeler reaches for the endzone to score as the Chiefs Nick Bolton gets cold for a face mask penalty to give the Chargers a 17-13 first half lead at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chiefs Tre’ McKitty catches a pass as the Chargers Bryce Callahan defends during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Austin Ekeler reaches for the endzone to score as the Chiefs Nick Bolton gets cold for a face mask penalty to give the Chargers a 17-13 first half lead at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Austin Ekeler, left, celebrates with teammate Zander Horvath, right, after scoring on a short touchdown run to give the Chargers a 17-13 first half lead over the Chiefs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Austin Ekeler reaches for the endzone to score as the Chiefs Nick Bolton gets cold for a face mask penalty to give the Chargers a 17-13 first half lead at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Austin Ekeler reaches for the endzone to score as the Chiefs Nick Bolton gets cold for a face mask penalty to give the Chargers a 17-13 first half lead at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, can not escape the grasp of the Chargers Sebastian Joseph-Day, right, during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chiefs Tre’ McKitty catches a pass as the Chargers Bryce Callahan defends during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, can not escape the grasp of the Chargers Sebastian Joseph-Day, right, during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Austin Ekeler celebrates after scoring on a short touchdown run to give the Chargers a 17-13 first half lead over the Chiefs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes goes through pregame warm ups prior to playing the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, and Jerick McKinnon, center, celebrate with Travis Kelce, right, after Kelce scored the game winning touchdown with less than a minute to play against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Josh Palmer hauls in a late fourth quarter touchdown to take the lead as the Chiefs Bryan Cook reacts at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, right, celebrates with Josh Palmer, left, after Palmer scored late in the fourth quarter to give the Chargers the lead over the Chiefs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Josh Palmer hauls in a late fourth quarter touchdown to take the lead as the Chiefs Bryan Cook defends at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Josh Palmer hauls in a late fourth quarter touchdown to take the lead as the Chiefs Bryan Cook reacts at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chiefs Travis Kelce scores the game winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Chargers J.T. Woods defends at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs for a first down late in the fourth quarter against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley questions a late fourth quarter penalty while playing the Chiefs during at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce breaks free from the Chargers free safety Nasir Adderley to score in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley works the sidelines against the Chiefs during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sacked by the Chargers Derwin James during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon fumbles as the Chargers Sebastian Joseph-Day defends during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sacked by the Chargers Derwin James during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce breaks free from the Chargers free safety Nasir Adderley to score in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon fumbles as the Chargers Drue Tranquill, left, moves in to try to make the recovery during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Derwin James, right, is congratulated by teammate Derrek Tuszka, left, after sacking Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs tight end Noah Gray makes a catch over the Chargers Troy Reeder during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger quarterback Justin Herbert finds running room during the fourth quarter against the Chiefs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, right, celebrates with Josh Palmer, left, after Palmer scored late in the fourth quarter to give the Chargers the lead over the Chiefs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon fumbles as the Chargers Drue Tranquill, left, defends during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon fumbles as the Chargers Sebastian Joseph-Day defends during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in a AFC West National Football League (NFL) regular season game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

INGLEWOOD — The Chargers’ 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium was many things at many times Sunday night. It was fast and frantic and fun. It was a showcase of two quarterbacks with otherworldly skills, with superb targets available to them. It was nerve-jangling, too.

In the end, though, it was just another frustrating result for the Chargers.

“You should be frustrated,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. “We just lost to a good team at home. We had the lead. We weren’t able to close it out. That’s an outstanding team that we played. To not beat those guys is disappointing because we felt like our level was good enough to win.

“We didn’t finish plays in that fourth quarter to get it done.”

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed a 17-yard scoring pass play to tight end Travis Kelce for what proved to be the winning touchdown with 31 seconds remaining, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive in only 1:15. It was Mahomes’ third TD pass to Kelce.

Quarterback Justin Herbert hit wide receiver Joshua Palmer for a six-yard touchdown with 1:46 to play, giving the Chargers a 27-23 lead. As it happened, the Chargers left plenty of time for Mahomes to work his magic, rallying the Chiefs (8-2) past the Chargers (5-5) for the second time this season.

On the decisive drive, Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. was penalized for holding Kelce on a third-and-four play at the Chiefs’ 49-yard line. Mahomes misfired on a pass intended for Justin Watson, but instead of a fourth-and-four situation, the Chiefs had a first down at the Chargers’ 46.

Two plays later, Mahomes scrambled for a 16-yard gain to the Chargers’ 17-yard line. He then hit Kelce for a 17-yard touchdown, with James trailing in Kelce’s wake, unable to stop him before he scored the third of his three TDs. Nick Bolton’s interception of a deflected Herbert pass then sealed it for Kansas City.

“It’s so frustrating, especially since my man caught the ball,” James said, referring to Kelce’s final TD catch and run. “It was a tough situation. He just made a play on a drag route. It was a man-to-man pick route. He was running away from my leverage. But I’ve got to make that play.”

Asked what he saw on the holding penalty, James said, “Nothing.”

Mahomes completed 20 of 34 passes for 329 yards. Kelce caught six passes for 116 yards, including three for TDs of 4, 32 and 17 yards. Herbert completed 23 of 30 passes for 280 yards and touchdown passes of 50 and 6 yards to Palmer, who had eight receptions for 106 yards.

“He’s not playing like this is only his second year in the NFL,” Herbert said of Palmer, who assumed the top wide receiver position while Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (ankle) were sidelined. “We trust him completely. He’s picking up the offense very quickly and he has established himself.”

Allen and Mike Williams made their long-awaited and much-anticipated returns to the Chargers’ starting lineup. Herbert looked to the two veteran wide receivers right away, having missed their skill and experience for all but a handful of snaps this season because of injuries.

Williams made a terrific leaping catch along the sideline for a first down on the Chargers’ second possession, but he came up limping noticeably. He stayed in the game for one more play and then limped to the sideline to have his ankle checked out by the team’s medical staff.

Williams was held out of the rest of the game after what Staley later said was an aggravation of an ankle injury originally sustained during the Chargers’ loss Oct. 23 to the Seattle Seahawks. Allen and the rest of the Chargers’ wide receiving corps soldiered on, helping to seize a 20-13 lead by halftime.

Harrison Butker’s 30-yard field goal narrowed the Chargers’ lead to 20-16 with 6:22 left in the third quarter. Mahomes’ 32-yard touchdown pass to Kelce on the first play of the fourth quarter put the Chiefs in front 23-20. After an exchange of fumbles, Herbert drove the Chargers back into the lead, 27-23.

The Chargers’ defense couldn’t hold it, though.

“You’ve got to give Pat credit,” Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “He’s one of the best in the league. He’s going to fit it in tight windows and guys are going to make plays. But we’ve got to be better. We’ve got to tighten up. … We (the Chargers’ defense) have to make plays. Our offense, they made plays.”

Chargers frustrated after Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes directs winning TD drive

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