The Kansas City Chiefs sweep the Los Angeles Chargers for the second consecutive year to finish the 2023 regular season with an 11-6 record.
Kansas City entered the final week of the 2023 NFL season with the AFC West clinched and a playoff spot locked up, making their matchup against the L.A. Chargers fairly meaningless, which allowed head coach Andy Reid to rest most of their starters on Sunday, giving Week 18 a preseason-like feel in Southern California.
Outside of safety Mike Edwards’ 97-yard fumble return for a touchdown, the only other excitement occurred in the third quarter when defensive tackle Chris Jones registered his tenth sack of the season, triggering a contract incentive that pays the all-pro $1.25M. Thanks to two Harrison Butker field goals in a battle between backup QBs, the Chiefs triumphed their way to a 13-12 win.
First Quarter
After the Chiefs’ backup offense was forced to punt, quarterback Easton Stick guided the Chargers on a longer 19-play drive to get within five yards of the end zone. On 3rd and 5, defensive end Charles Omenihu punched the ball out of Stick’s hands as he was moving up in the pocket, forcing a fumble. Seconds later, the ball was scooped up by safety Mike Edwards for a 97-yard defensive touchdown.
Both teams exchanged possessions until mid-way in the second quarter.
Second Quarter
At 9:38 in the second quarter, quarterback Blaine Gabbert began the Chiefs’ fourth drive of the game at the 30-yard line. The drive started with a three-yard completion to tight end Blake Bell, followed by a six-yard pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Five plays later at the Charger 41, Gabbert completed one deep to Hardman for 37 yards to the four-yard line.
From there, Kansas City struggled inside the five and settled for a 22-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker to extend the lead the 10-0.
After Kansas City’s field goal, Los Angeles started their next drive from their 25. After a three-yard connection to wide receiver Jordan Palmer, the Chargers picked up 33 yards as result of a defensive pass interference penalty of defensive back Jalen Watson.
Three plays later, the Chiefs failed to convert for a new set of downs, and the drive stalls at the Chiefs’ 31. The Chargers picked up their first points of the after as kicker Cameron Dicker nailed a 49-yard field goal.
On 3rd and 10 from their 49, with 1:36 left in the first half, Gabbert’s pass for Hardman is intercepted by safety Alohi Gilman. The turnover sends the Chiefs’ offense back to the sideline and the Chargers respond with a ten-play drive that results in a 40-yard field goal by Dicker before the half expires.
Third Quarter
After both teams punted on their first possession, the Chargers got the ball at their 25 with 10:10 in the third quarter. The first play was a handoff to wide receiver Derius Davis that was blown up in the backfield by rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah for a five-yard loss.
Two plays later, Stick converted a 3rd and 6 via a 25-yard completed pass to WR Alex Erickson. At 6:46, Stick converted another 3rd down by connecting on a 24-yard pass to tight end Donald Parham. Three plays later, on 3rd and 6, at the Chiefs’ 16, Stick was sacked for an 11-yard loss by Chris Jones, who sprinted to an energized Kansas City sideline as his teammates congratulated him for his 10th sack of the season and met his contract incentive.
The Chiefs received the ball their 25 but punted after nine plays to end the third quarter,
Fourth Quarter
On their second possession of the final quarter, the Chargers surged methodically 84 yards in 18 plays before fizzling out two yards from the goal line. On 4th and 6 at the Chiefs’ 38 with 7:52, Stick converted a new set of downs with an 11-yard pass to Parham. From the 27, Stick threw a seven-yard pass to running back Austin Ekeler followed by a four-yard run by Davis, a nine-yard scramble by Stick, a two-yard run by Ekeler, and another four-yard scramble by Stick.
On second and goal from the one-yard line, Stick’s pass to wide receiver Keelan Doss fell incomplete. On third down, Ekeler took a handoff but was stuffed by defensive tackle Matt Dickerson, keeping the Chargers out of the end zone and forcing them to settle for a field goal that took a 12-10 lead.
Kansas City took possession with 4:06 left in the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 7, Gabbert moved up in the pocket before dashing the first down and picking up 25 yards on the scramble. Two plays later, Gabbert scrambled again, this time for 14 yards to the L.A. 47. After four more plays, the offense grinded to a halt at the 24. On 4th and 1, Harrison Butker kicked through a 41-yard field goal to re-take a 13-10 lead.
The Chargers got the ball with 49 seconds left in the game, but Stick began the drive by being brought down by defensive tackle Makil Herring for a 10-yard sack. On the following play, Stick completed an 18-yard pass to Davis. However, his following two passes were broken up, and the Chargers turned the ball over downs as the fourth quarter came to an end.
Final
Kansas City’s win over Los Angeles finalizes their regular season record at 11-6. Gabbert finished the game 15 of 30 for 154 yards and threw an interception. La’Mical Perine finished with 21 carries for 76 yards. Mecole Hardman finished with six receptions for 77 yards. Defensively, Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu, and Malik Herring each registered a sack.
