Chiefs top Chargers in thriller at Arrowhead

It was not pretty. Nobody cares. The Kansas City Chiefs gave every last one of their fans a full-blown heart attack on Sunday afternoon, but held on as time expired to beat the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium, 10-3.

Kansas City took a 10-0 lead in the first half but could do nothing offensively over the final 30 minutes. The penalties are a problem that really needs to be corrected as the Chiefs took 11 last week against the Oakland Raiders and were guilty of eight for 53 yards. They were also huge penalties, including one that brought back a Charcandrick West touchdown in the third quarter.

The story of the game, other than the finish, was Dee Ford. Ford was making his second career start in place of the injured Justin Houston, and boy did he shine. Ford has been getting ripped apart (including by yours truly) for his lack of pass moves and inability to stop the run, but he was incredible on Sunday. Without Ford, the Chiefs lose.

Ford amassed three sacks and was tremendous on multiple occasions in coverage, including the final play. San Diego was trailing 10-3 and converted multiple third and fourth downs, getting to the Kansas City 1-yard line. However, a pair of penalties and an incompletion gave San Diego the ball at the 11-yard line with time for one more play. Rivers went to Danny Woodhead, who could not come down with the pass. Why? Ford was (legally) all over him.

The win was hideous in many ways, but the positive spin is that the Chiefs continue to win. Furthermore, they are winning games they always lose.

Kansas City is 8-5 and winners of seven straight. It does not get more beautiful that that.