Chiefs rally from 21-3 deficit, tip Chargers in OT
KANSAS CITY, Mo – Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith scored on 2-yard run five minutes into overtime to give the Kansas City Chiefs a remarkable 33-27 come-from-behind victory over the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City trailed 21-3 at halftime, but scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the second half. The Chiefs won the overtime coin toss and drove 70 yards on 10 plays before Smith ran right, dropped his head and blasted into the end zone.
A fourth-quarter decision by San Diego head coach Mike McCoy helped spark the K.C. comeback. With 11 minutes, 25 seconds to play, the Chargers had the ball at the Chiefs 36-yard line.
They faced a 4th-and-2 while holding a 27-10 lead. Deciding against a punt that would have pinned the Chiefs deep in their own territory, McCoy tried a 54-yard field goal. Josh Lambo's kick sailed wide right and Kansas City took over at their own 44-yard line.
Seven plays later, Smith connected with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin for a 19-yard touchdown pass that cut San Diego's lead to 10 points. A 33-yard field goal by Cairo Santos chopped the margin to seven and K.C. tied it up with 63 seconds to play on a 5-yard touchdown scamper by running back Spencer Ware.
Smith was 34 of 48 for 363 yards and two touchdown passes and had 15 rushing yards. Ware, starting in place of Jamaal Charles, who was inactive, produced 199 yards from scrimmage.
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Chiefs after they fell behind by 18 points in the first half. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers sliced and diced the Chiefs defense producing touchdowns on three of four possessions over the first 30 minutes. Running back Melvin Gordon scored on runs of 1 and 6 yards, and Rivers found running back Danny Woodhead wide open in the end zone for the third touchdown on a 4-yard pass play. San Diego converted six of seven third down plays in the first half, as the Kansas City defense struggled to get off the field.
Meanwhile, the Chargers defense tormented the Chiefs offense. Only Ware was able to consistently generate offense, with nearly 200 yards and a score. It was Ware's 45-yard catch and run late in the third quarter that set up Kansas City's first touchdown. Smith connected with wide receiver Tyreek Hill on a 9-yard scoring play that began the Chiefs second-half comeback.
NOTES: The Chargers also suffered a stunning loss when WR Keenan Allen went down near the end of the first half with a right knee injury. Allen was removed from the field on a cart and did not return to the game. The Chargers fear Allen suffered a torn ACL. ... San Diego's first-round draft choice DE Joey Bosa did not dress for the game due to a hamstring strain. Bosa missed all of the preseason in a contract dispute and continues to carry a roster exemption from the NFL. ... The Chiefs lost backup LB Sam Barrington in the second half with a hamstring injury. … Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles was inactive. He is recovering from a torn ACL and last played in October 2015.