Chargers vs Chiefs: Handing out game balls following another close victory for KC

Week after week, game after game, the Kansas City Chiefs continue to keep scores a bit too close only to come out victorious every single time. That did not change in Week 14 against the L.A. Chargers in a win that clinched the Chiefs' ninth-straight AFC West championship—the second-longest streak in NFL history behind the Patriots' 11-year run from 2009-19.

After going up 13-0 in the first half on Sunday Night Football, the Chiefs let Los Angeles back almost immediately in the second half, going down 14-13 before finally scoring a field goal to go up 16-14. Then K.C. held strong late in the fourth, forcing a field goal to put L.A. up 17-16 but they gave Patrick Mahomes and company too much time, allowing the Chiefs to meticulously drive down the field to win on a "doink for the division" field goal as time expired.

There were plenty of players who made generous—sometimes massive—impacts on the game throughout all four quarters. But some deserve more credit for the victory than others, even if it wasn't a pretty win (which Kansas City hasn't had for over a year now).

Game Ball #1: Matthew Wright

In his second stint with the Chiefs, on his second team this season, just four days after being elevated to the starting roster, Matthew Wright went four-for-four including the game-winning "doink" that clinched another division title.

Kickers seem to get overlooked at the end of the day, but with the Chiefs' continued rotation of kickers—Wright is the third this season—he was a major focal point of the game and he didn't flinch a muscle.

Two field goals in the first half, a 47 and a 33-yarder, plus an extra point helped the Chiefs gain some momentum as well as their largest halftime lead of the season. But, when it came down to it, Wright deserves the game ball for that final kick of the game as time expired:

That kick would be Wright's second-ever game-winning field goal, sending the Chargers back to Los Angeles with an 8-5 record and at least a second-place finish in the division for the 15th straight season.

And, not to be outshined by the 31-yard game-winner, Wright's 50-yard clutch field goal to start the fourth quarter was pivotal for the victory. That was only Wright's 11th attempt from 50+ yards and after it went through, he is officially 7-for-11. It was his first make since November 28, 2022, when he played for Pittsburgh.

The "doink for the division" was great television, but as a Chiefs fan, it does not inspire confidence for the future while waiting for Harrison Butker to return for the playoffs. Still, Wright deserves the game ball because without him the Chiefs would not have the game in the win column heading into week 15.

Game Ball #2: Tershawn "Turk" Wharton

Tershawn Wharton had one of the best days of his career against Los Angeles under the lights of Sunday Night Football. His two sacks led all defensive players on the field and his three QB hits made a massive difference in how Justin Herbert played in the pocket throughout the game.

Wharton started off the game with a sack, just two plays into the Chargers' first drive of the night, for four yards (below) but the big play happened with just over six minutes to go in the game to force a momentous third-and-long (above).

Wharton's total now goes up to 4.5 sacks on the season, with the last one coming way back before Halloween against Las Vegas. That's good for second-most on the team behind Chris Jones and George Karlaftis at five apiece.

Game Ball #3: Travis Kelce

A handful of Chiefs deserve the last game ball for the win over LA, but in the end, Travis Kelce did more than enough to warrant the inclusion here.

Kelce's final catch of the game set up the Chiefs with the easy field goal—which was eventually doinked in for the win—but his four catches beforehand were also big for Kansas City on their road to victory.

Four of Kelce's targets were for first downs with three of them caught for 32 of his team-high 45 receiving yards. During the game, after catching a first-down pass for seven yards in the third quarter, Kelce not only helped the Chiefs get more yardage but he also helped his already-solid case for the Hall of Fame.

That record of being the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 12,000 career receiving yards now sits with Kelce for the foreseeable future. Kelce reached that feat in just 172 games which absolutely shattered Tony Gonzalez's previous record of 210 games.

Even though he is still tied with Gonzalez for most receiving touchdowns in franchise history, Kelce's record-breaking day is yet another way that proves he's worth every penny that Clark Hunt has ever paid him to play for the Chiefs.

Honorable Mentions:

Isiah Pacheco, RB - Pacheco finally looked like he was returning to his true form, rushing for 55 yards on 14 carries with two catches adding six more yards. He was running angry all game long, just as he always has, and he converted four first downs that kept the offensive train moving down the field.

Chris Jones, DE - Even though the official stat sheet doesn't show Jones doing much, his presence was obvious from the opening kick to the final seconds. The pressure he brought opened holes for players like Wharton (above) and Nick Bolton to get sacks and hits on Herbert that left a mark.

Matt Araiza, P - It may get lost in the fog that was another nail-biting finish, but Matt "the Punt God" Araiza had one of the best punts by a Chief in recent memory. With a 59-yard punt down within the Chargers' five-yard line that bounced once and allowed Nazeeh Johnson to grab it at the two, eventually leading to another Chargers' punt on the ensuing drive.