NFL Week 7 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 31, Los Angeles Chargers 17

The Los Angeles Chargers rolled into Arrowhead after a tough loss against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football and once again came up short in defeating the rival Kansas City Chiefs, failing to score in the second half and dropping to 2-4 with a 31-17 loss.

Patrick Mahomes went 20-of-23 for 321 yards and three touchdown passes in the first half alone, and the Chargers were never able to mount a comeback.

Offensive spotlight: Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer tallied five receptions for 133 yards, including a 60-yard catch-and-run that set up a touchdown pass to tight end Gerald Everett. Palmer made a contested catch and accounted for two more explosive receptions. Backup running back Josh Kelley made the most of his seven carries, recording 75 yards and a score while working behind a dinged-up Austin Ekeler.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was running wide open most of the afternoon, with many worried about whether Chargers safety Derwin James could play dealing with an injury. But it didn’t seem to matter who was defending Kelce. He hauled in 12 of 13 targets for 179 yards and a touchdown, with five catches going for 15-plus yards.

Mecole Hardman had a key six-yard reception to convert on third down on the Chiefs’ final drive, with a game-clinching touchdown on the very next play. He also added a 50-yard punt return that got the Chiefs in great field position. He figures to join a long list of Chiefs weapons that may not amass a ton of volume but will make key splash plays in any given week.

Defensive spotlight: Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. made a nice play with a big interception downfield in the first half, stalling out a Chiefs drive on the Chargers '21-yard line with Mahomes looking for recently reunited wide receiver Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs averaged 7.5 yards per play, so there weren’t many bright spots beyond that, even with Los Angeles holding Kansas City to just one score in the second half.

Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu debuted with his new team and immediately made his impact felt with a sack. His 17.6% pass-rush win rate and 23.5% pressure rate are emblematic of his strong down-to-down impact. The Chiefs' secondary was flying around all game, with big hits or pass breakups from cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed and safeties Justin Reid and Mike Edwards.

Rookie spotlight: Chargers rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston made a nice grab on a perfectly placed back shoulder throw from Herbert, but that 20-yard catch-and-run was his lone reception on the day.

Chiefs rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice continues to stack productive game after productive game, with six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown in this one. He has the smarts to find soft spots in zones and sit down, where Mahomes is sure to find him eventually, and then the burst to rack up yards after the catch.

Box Score

Passing

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Receiving