A recent history of the Chiefs rivalry with the Chargers

Alex Smith‘s Tenure vs. Patrick Mahomes’ Tenure

The prior seven-year period was also defined by the presence of two distinctly different quarterbacks. Alex Smith, the former first pick overall, was as cerebral a player as an offensive coordinator could hope for. Where he lacked in physical gifts he made up for in heart and the ability to manage his teams to wins in virtually all circumstances.

Smith was the first consistent presence at quarterback that the franchise had experienced in nearly a decade. With this consistency came winning, Smith claiming victories against the Chargers in 80 percent of his matchups. This included an impressive four-year stretch where the Chiefs never lost to the Chargers and outscored them 209 to 110.

Patrick Mahomes, the first home-grown superstar at quarterback in the franchises history, has continued that reign of dominance. Mahomes burst onto the scene in 2018 with four touchdowns en route to a victory in the first start of his career and a 9-1 start to the 2018 season.

He’d lose the second contest of the season 29-28, with the Chargers going for two to seal the win, but would wrap up two victories in 2019. After two seasons he currently holds a 75% winning percentage against the Chargers.

Ironically, the Alex Smith teams won with greater margin than the Patrick Mahomes teams have so far. In the seven seasons Alex Smith helmed the Chiefs they averaged almost a nine-point margin of victory over the Chargers. The Patrick Mahomes led teams have only averaged a 6.5-point edge.

This is obviously due to numerous factors, such as the quality of the opponent or the quality of the Chiefs defense. In fact, the Chiefs under Mahomes have averaged almost three points more on offense.

For the full Andy Reid tenure the team has averaged just a shade over an eight-point margin of victory. In the 53 seasons preceding Andy Reid, the team averaged less than a one-point margin of victory. The tides have turned quite considerably.