Coming into this game, both of these teams were 1-2 and knew that it could be devestating to start the season 1-3. This game was a must win for both teams.
The Chargers won the toss and decided to receive. Coming into the game, Ladanian Tomlinson the leading rusher in the NFL from last year has only rushed for 130 yards in the first three games. The Chargers made a commitment to get L.T. going early and often against the Chiefs and that is exactly what they did. On their first drive, he carried it seven times for 35 yards as the Chargers kicked a field goal to go up 3-0. Now it was the Chiefs turn to have the ball.
On first down, Damon Huard decided to look for Tony Gonzalez over the middle but overthrew him. That play seemed to hurt that first drive as they did there league leading 15th three and out. They had to punt the ball right back to the Chargers.
With the ball and up 3-0, the Chargers decided to go after the Chiefs again. On 2nd and 11, Phillip Rivers went up top to Vincent Jackson for a 39 yard gain to put the ball on the Chiefs 17. Three plays later L.T took it in for a touchdown and now it was 10-0. After this touchdown, the Chiefs and Chargers each traded possesions before the Chargers has the ball early in the 2nd quarter. Michael Turner came in for L.T and on his first carry, Chiefs safety Jarrod Page forced a fumble and the Chiefs recovered at the San Diego 22. However, as the Chiefs have done most of the year, all they could do is get a field goal to cut the lead to 10-3.
After a quick 3 and out for the Chargers, the Chiefs got the ball back with a chance to cut the lead or tie. On the first play of that drive, Huard threw and interception. Luckily, the Chiefs defense held their own and held them to a field goal. Now, the score was 13-3. With seven minutes left in the half, the Chiefs were able to get another field goal to cut it to 13-6. Once again though, the Chargers were able to get a field goal to make the score 16-6 at halftime. Again, the Chiefs were struggling on offense.
To start the 2nd half, the teams exchanged punts. With nine minutes left in the 3rd, the Chiefs started from their own 20 and started marching down the field. Huard connected on passes of 10 and 16 yards to Dwayne Bower and another pass for 19 yards to Tony Gonzalez. However, the Chiefs once again had to settle for a field goal so it was 16-9. The Chiefs knew that they were struggling on offense so their defense had to make a play. And that is just what they did.
Facing a 2nd and 12 on their own 38, Phillip Rivers took the snap and the blitz was on. Rivers panicked so he threw the ball with his receiver not paying attention and Derrick Johnson intercepted the ball and now the Chiefs had the ball at the Chargers 35. This time, the Chiefs knew they needed a touchdown and that is what they got.
First play of the drive, Huard found Larry Johnson for a 14 yard gain. After an incompletion, Huard went to the endzone and hit Gonzalez for a 22 yard touchdown. That tied the score at 16. That also gave Gonzalez 62 career touchdwons and tying Shannon Sharpe for first all time for tight ends. Now that the score was tied, San Diego tried to bounce back.
The Chiefs defense was just on a roll as they forced a three and out. The Chiefs got the ball back with a chance to take their first lead. On 2nd and 11, Shawne Merriman got a sack and all the momentum was with the Chargers. However, on 3rd and 19, Damon Huard hooked up with Dwayne Bowe for a 51 yard touchdown to give the Chiefs a 23-16 lead.
Both teams exchanged punts until the Chargers had the ball at the Chiefs 41 with 8:19 left. San Diego looked like they were about to tie the game and then once again, Derrick Johnson made another play that clinched the game. The Chiefs once again blitzed and this time Derrick Johnson got to Phillip Rivers and made him fumble and rookie Tyron Brackenridge took it 50 yards for a touchdown and a 30-16 lead.
From here on out the Chiefs just had to stop the Chargers one more time and then run out the clock. That is exactly what they did and the Chiefs got out of San Diego with a win.
Some of the key players were Damon Huard who was 17-29 with 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. Larry Johnson had 25 carries and 123 yards and Dwayne Bowe had 8 catches with 164 yards and a touchdown
So after an 0-2 start, the Chiefs have won their last two games to get back at.500. There next three games are Jacksonville and Cincinatti at home and Oakland on the road.These three games are all very winnable. The Chiefs have turned around their season and have a very good chance to be 5-2 going into their bye week. Two weeks ago that seemed impossible. With the defense playing so well and the offense picking it up, things are looking alot better now.
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