Inglewood, CA — In a high-scoring thriller at SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Chargers dropped their first game of the 2024 season in a 48-40 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. With the defeat, the Chargers not only lost the AFC West lead but also saw quarterback Justin Herbert’s three interceptions prove costly in a game that pitted two of the NFL’s best offenses against each other. The loss dropped the Chargers to 3-1, while Kansas City improved to 4-0, giving them an early edge in the division and in the battle for AFC supremacy.
Herbert vs. Mahomes: MVP Race Takes Shape
The showdown between Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes lived up to the hype, with both quarterbacks putting up massive numbers. Herbert completed 19 of 34 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns but was hampered by three interceptions, all of which were pivotal moments in the hard-fought divisional game. On the other side, Mahomes was nearly flawless, completing 17 of 21 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns without turning the ball over.
Mahomes’ efficiency and ability to lead clutch drives were on full display, converting 3rd down after 3rd down. With MVP talk swirling around both quarterbacks, this game could be a defining moment in the early race. Mahomes now has the Chiefs at 4-0 and looking unstoppable, while Herbert’s turnovers could be the first c**** in his MVP campaign.
A Costly Four Quarters for the Chargers
The game was a back-and-forth battle the whole game, with the Chargers constantly down but not out. However, it wasn’t meant to be and mistakes cost them the game. Herbert’s worst pass of the game occured as linebacker Nick Bolton jumped a pass and returned it to the house yards for a pick-six, swinging the momentum in Kansas City’s favor harder than ever. The Chiefs followed it up with more aggressive defensive and explosive offense while Los Angeles reeled in front of their home crowd.
The bad game got worse as it went on as 4 Chargers left with injury and din’t return. Luckily, two of them have passed medical tests. Unluckily, veteran C Connor McGovern who was just signed this past week, broke his ribs and will miss their week 5 matchup with the Broncos and week 6 in Arizona while Zion Johnson tore his ab in the loss, also, but will only miss week 5 in Denver. It could have been worse, but the Chargers lose two starting offensive linemen on the interior in a league where every game matters.
The Chargers have made their money on the line of scrimmage and this could throw off their usual gameplan with a difficult upcoming schedule. “We believe our team is deep and it’s next man up always. Someone will step up or then we’ll keep looking for the guy who will,” GM Phillip Rivers said in a press conference discussing the injuries to the starters.
Quentin Johnston Shines in Defeat
Despite the loss, Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston had a career day, hauling in 5 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns. The second-year receiver torched the Kansas City secondary as he improves to 500 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in just 4 games heading into the bye.
Johnston’s consistent elite performances have solidified his role as the team’s go-to deep threat and one of the best emerging wideouts in the league. His connection with Herbert is becoming more dangerous each week, and the Chargers will need to rely on this duo to stay competitive in the AFC. “Quentin’s been phenomenal for us,” said Herbert. “He’s explosive, he runs great routes, and we know we can count on him to make big plays.” Hayden Hurst and Ladd McConkey were valuable, too, recording 5 catches for 73 yards and 6 catches for 99 yards respectively.
Haskins and the Ground Game Show Promise
Running back Hassan Haskins also had a strong performance for the Chargers, rushing for 103 yards on just 9 carries, including a 70-yard touchdown run that gave Los Angeles life, even if it was brief. Haskins’ combination of speed and power was a bright spot in a game where the Chargers needed every yard they could get.
The ground game, though often overshadowed by Herbert’s aerial attack, gave the Chargers balance in the first half. However, with the team trailing late, they were forced to abandon the run, limiting Haskins’ impact down the stretch. “All in all, we lost by 8 points while turning the ball over three times passing. I don’t care about what the score was, I should have been more committed to the ground game” head coach Jay Cee said as he took accountability after praising Haskins’ running.
Bosa’s Defensive Spark Not Enough
On the defensive side of the ball, Joey Bosa provided a much-needed spark when he stripped Kansas City running back Samaje Perine in the second half, and Asante Samuel Jr. jumped on it. At the time, the turnover gave the Chargers momentum, but it wouldn’t prove to last.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, that would be their only takeaway of the game. While the defense was able to generate decent pressure, with 2 sacks shared between edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and interior defensive linemen Teair Tart and Poona Ford, they couldn’t contain Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense when it mattered most.
Mahomes’ connection with his receiving corps, including Xavier Worthy who had 6 catches for 118 yards and 1 TD and Travis Kelce who had 3 catches for 48 yards, kept the Chargers defense on their heels all night, especially on 3rd down. “We bent and broke,” said head coach Jay Cee. “We knew we’d have to be near-perfect to beat a team like the Chiefs, but we couldn’t close it out. Turnovers hurt us, and they capitalized on every mistake.”
Looking Ahead: Bye Week and AFC West Race
The loss sends the Chargers into their Week 5 bye with plenty to think about. At 3-1, Los Angeles is still in a strong position in the AFC, but the road doesn’t get any easier. After the bye, they’ll travel to Denver to face the 3-1 Broncos, another divisional rival with playoff aspirations.
The bye week will give the Chargers time to rest and regroup, especially after a tough four-game stretch to open the season. With a high-powered offense led by Herbert and a defense capable of generating pressure, the Chargers remain a legitimate AFC contender. But cleaning up the turnovers and tightening up defensively will be critical if they want to compete with teams like the Chiefs down the stretch.
As for the AFC West race, the Chargers now find themselves chasing the defending Super Bowl champions. The two teams will meet again later in the season in what could be a crucial matchup for the division title. But for now, the Chargers will have to put this loss behind them and focus on bouncing back.
“We’re a resilient team,” said Herbert. “This one stings, but we’ll learn from it and come back stronger. We’ve got a long season ahead of us, and everything we want is still in front of us.” Chargers fans will certainly be hoping that’s the case as their team heads into the bye week, eager to regroup and reclaim their place atop the AFC West as they travel to Denver to face the Broncos and improve to 2-1 in the division and 4-1 overall.
