SAN DIEGO — A terrible season continues to spiral out of control for the Kansas City Chiefs, after a 31-13 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on Thursday night.
The Chargers (4-4, 2-2 home) marched 80 yards on the game’s opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Phillip Rivers found tight end Antonio Gates for a 14-yard touchdown pass.
On their first drive, the Chiefs offense showed signs of life, but a lost fumble by wide receiver Dwayne Bowe halted an otherwise encouraging 54-yd drive.
Kansas City (1-7, 1-3 away) managed to keep San Diego’s offense on the sidelines for most of the first half. A 49-yd field goal by Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop narrowed the gap with just under 3:00 to play in the second quarter.
On third and goal from the 1-yd line with :15 seconds to play in the first half, Rivers threw an interception to safety Eric Berry in the end zone. The Chargers took a modest 10-3 lead into halftime.
It was still a hard-fought contest in the third quarter. San Diego held a slim 10-6 lead heading into the fourth, but that’s when the Chiefs derailed.
A 13-yd TD pass from Rivers to WR Malcom Floyd capped an 80-yd drive to put the Chargers up 17-6. On the ensuing drive, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel fumbled after he was sacked by linebacker Jarret Johnson in the end zone. LB Shaun Phillips recovered the fumble for a TD to give San Diego a 24-6 lead.
Former Chiefs LB Demorrio Williams returned an interception 59 yards for a TD on the next drive to give the Chargers a 31-6 lead. The Chiefs’ lone TD came on a 6-yd run by running back Shaun Draughn late in the fourth quarter.
Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Chiefs have still not led at any point during a game. Turnovers have been an embarrassing part of the equation. In 2011, Kansas City finished the season with 28 turnovers. They’ve already surpassed that mark this season, with a league-worst 29 turnovers.
The Chiefs will have a week and a half to mull over another crushing loss. Their next game will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, Nov. 12th at Heinz Field.
