Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats: Full Breakdown of a Rivalry-Defining Win
Fans searching for Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats usually want one thing: real numbers, not recycled hot takes. This clash gave them plenty to dig into, from a gutsy quarterback playing on a broken hand to a season-altering knee injury under center for Kansas City. Here is every verified stat line that mattered from this historic 16-13 defensive battle, broken down position by position.
Key Takeaways
Justin Herbert threw for 210 yards and the game’s lone offensive touchdown while playing through a fractured left hand, guiding LA to a 16-13 road win.
Patrick Mahomes went 16-of-28 for 189 yards before exiting with a severe knee injury (torn ACL and LCL), a play that reshaped Kansas City’s postseason.
Daiyan Henley sealed the game with a clutch fourth-quarter interception off backup Gardner Minshew, capping a masterful defensive game plan.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith hauled in the decisive touchdown reception for the Chargers to secure the victory.
Game Box Score: Chargers vs Chiefs
| Category | Los Angeles Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 16 | 13 |
| Passing Yards | 210 (Herbert) | 189 (Mahomes) |
| Total Yards | 295 | 239 |
| Rushing Yards | 94 | 49 |
| 1st Downs | 18 | 17 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 5/14 | 6/13 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 1/2 | 0/3 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 34:42 | 25:18 |
Quarterback Battle and Passing Yards
The quarterback passing yards column told only half the story here. Justin Herbert finished 19-of-29 for 210 yards and a touchdown, numbers that undersell how much he fought through pain to get them. Working with a broken bone in his non-throwing hand, he consistently found his targets on third-and-long throughout the second half.
According to the official ESPN Game Box Score, Mahomes finished 16-of-28 for 189 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. His day ended early when a hit near the sideline twisted his knee, causing a torn ACL and LCL.
Herbert’s Second-Half Rally
- Big Plays: Connected on a 27-yard strike to Oronde Gadsden to flip field position.
- Tempo Control: Mixed short completions to Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen to exhaust the clock.
- Pass Protection: Avoided a single sack across 29 dropbacks despite heavy pressure up front.
Mahomes to Minshew: A Costly Transition
Gardner Minshew came in cold and completed his first three attempts. However, his final throw of the game—intended for Travis Kelce—was picked off by Daiyan Henley with 20 seconds left, closing the door on any Kansas City comeback.
Rushing Leaders and Ground Efficiency
Ground production separated the two offenses almost as much as the passing game did. Los Angeles out-rushed Kansas City 94 yards to 49, controlling the clock for nearly 35 minutes.
Rushing Leaders
Omarion Hampton (LAC): 15 carries, 61 yards
Isiah Pacheco (KC): 11 carries, 21 yards
Why the Chargers’ Run Game Mattered
Hampton’s 61-yard afternoon wasn’t explosive, but it was efficient enough to keep Kansas City’s defense honest and shorten the game. That patience paid off in the fourth quarter, when LA leaned heavily on the run to protect their slim lead.
Defensive Impact and Sacks
Defensive pressure decided several key downs in this one, and both fronts got home to disrupt the passing game.
- Odafe Oweh (LAC): 2 sacks, 4 total tackles
- Charles Omenihu (KC): 1.5 sacks
- Drue Tranquill (KC): 14 tackles, 8 solo — a workhorse performance from the linebacker spot
The Play That Changed Everything
Da’Shawn Hand’s takedown of Mahomes near the sideline produced the injury that ended Kansas City’s Super Bowl aspirations for the season. It serves as a reminder that defensive pressure packages carry massive risk beyond the box score.
Touchdown Highlights and Red Zone Discipline
The scoring was tight and mistake-driven rather than explosive, fitting a game decided by just three points.
- The Winning Score: Herbert’s short touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith put LA ahead for good in the second half.
- Kicking Accuracy: Harrison Butker’s field goal briefly gave the Chiefs a 13-3 cushion before halftime, but the Chiefs’ offense failed to score touchdowns.
- Red Zone Stalls: Los Angeles converted 1-of-2 red zone trips into touchdowns, while Kansas City managed 0-of-3, settling entirely for field goals. Those missed opportunities near the goal line ultimately cost the Chiefs the game.
Special Teams and Kicking Battle
Cameron Dicker went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals plus an extra point for the Chargers. Meanwhile, Butker connected on all his kicking attempts for Kansas City. In a three-point game, that flawless kicking night from Dicker carried real weight.
Time of Possession and Tempo Control
The Chargers held the ball for 34:42 compared to Kansas City’s 25:18. This massive gap was driven by a heavy commitment to the run and Herbert’s efficient third-down conversions. That tempo advantage wore down a Chiefs defense already missing key pieces late in the season.
Player Stats Snapshot by Position Group
| Position | Chargers | Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Herbert: 210 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT | Mahomes: 189 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT |
| RB | Hampton: 61 yds (15 att) | Pacheco: 21 yds (11 att) |
| Defense | Oweh: 2 sacks, Henley: 1 INT | Omenihu: 1.5 sacks, Tranquill: 14 tkl |
| K | Dicker: 3/3 FG, 1/1 XP | Butker: 4/4 FG |
Future Outlook: What This Result Means for the Rivalry
Los Angeles has now won consecutive meetings against Kansas City for the first time since the 2014-2018 stretch swung the other way. Expect Kansas City to heavily retool its offensive line protection schemes this offseason to protect their franchise quarterback. For the Chargers, Herbert’s willingness to play through a fractured hand adds to a growing case that this era of the rivalry belongs to Los Angeles—at least until Mahomes returns to full health for their upcoming matchups. You can track full team details and future schedules via The Football DB.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Chargers vs Chiefs game?
The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13. The win clinched a crucial victory in the historic division rivalry for Los Angeles.
How many passing yards did Justin Herbert throw for?
Justin Herbert finished 19-of-29 for 210 yards and one touchdown. He executed the game plan flawlessly while playing through a broken left hand.
What happened to Patrick Mahomes in this game?
Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee after a tackle near the sideline. He finished 16-of-28 for 189 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception before exiting.
Who scored the touchdowns in this matchup?
The game’s only touchdown came from the Chargers, with Justin Herbert throwing a short scoring strike to wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith. All of Kansas City’s points came via Harrison Butker field goals.
Who intercepted the Chiefs to seal the win?
Linebacker Daiyan Henley intercepted Gardner Minshew’s late fourth-down pass intended for Travis Kelce with 20 seconds remaining, securing the 16-13 victory.
Who Was Your Game MVP?
Was it Herbert’s incredible toughness through injury, or Daiyan Henley’s game-sealing interception that impressed you most? Drop your MVP pick in the comments below and let us know which stat line from this box score surprised you the most!
