On Sunday, October 18, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers 22-6 at Arrowhead Stadium to remain among the undefeated sides in the NFL. I
In the game, running back Kenneth Walker gained 128 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Patrick Mahomes threw for 272 yards. Following the game, the Kansas City Chiefs had a 5-0 record, while the Los Angeles Chargers were 0-6.
Los Angeles punted on its first drive of the match, and the Chiefs followed the attack with six plays, a 67-yard scoring drive. Walker broke through in a run for 33 yards up the middle with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter. Kicker Harrison Butker, who already scored a 44-yard field goal, failed to score an extra point, and the game was 9-0.
The Chargers responded with an 11-play drive, which resulted in a 23-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker. The drive began with an 17-yard reception by Ladd McConkey, who got a concussion after a hit was received near midfield.
Interceptions were traded during the second quarter, with Jack Cochrane of the Chiefs intercepting Justin Herbert, and Cam Hart of the Chargers intercepting Mahomes. Kansas City then managed to force a punt and gain control of the ball to score a second touchdown.
However, Mahomes went 4-of-4 for 49 passing yards along with a 10-yard rushing touchdown on the play, while Walker scored his touchdown with a 2-yard rush with only 1:49 left in the first half of the game.
Butker scored a 50-yard field goal at the end of the half to take a 19-3 lead into halftime.
There were several pivotal plays in the game:
- Walker scoring his first touchdown: The 33-yard rush started a 128-yard rushing performance on 19 carries.
- Herbert's interception: His eighth of the year, tying him for the league lead and ending the drive.
- Third down sack: Herbert ran right into Nick Bolton of the Chiefs and the ball was punted.
- Pressure on offense: The Chiefs sacked Herbert four times, equaling their season total in the first four games.
However, there was not much drama in the latter half. A 30-yard field goal by Dicker in the third quarter brought the deficit down to 19-6, but that would be as close as Los Angeles came all night. Butker then scored a 30-yard field goal with 3:56 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it 22-6.
As seen in the box score, the game was an imbalance:
- Yards gained: Chiefs 422, Chargers 259.
- Rushing: Chiefs 150 yards, Chargers 73 yards.
- Passing: Mahomes 23-of-30 for 272 yards; Herbert 22-of-37 for 204 yards.
- Sacks: Chiefs 4, Chargers 0.
- Penalties: Chiefs 8 for 89 yards, Chargers 7 for 59 yards.
With 23-of-30 completions and one interception, Mahomes recorded his 100th career win as a starting quarterback. Worthy made seven catches for 73 yards, while Travis Kelce had five receptions for 53 yards.
The Chiefs were able to get the victory without their injured wide receivers, Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton.
This was their first matchup in eight months, as Mahomes suffered torn ligaments in his left knee during the loss that knocked Kansas City out of the playoffs. The Chargers won their two matchups last year, including a 27-21 victory in Brazil in week one.
This time around, Kansas City came away with the win and has now won a game in the series.
Los Angeles has dropped their first six games of the season, and the injuries have certainly been hurting them offensively. The Chargers have now lost all their first games of the season after losing their first two at home.
They failed to score any touchdowns against Kansas City, and Herbert's turnovers have been an issue once again. It is a complete opposite story from their season last year, where they reached the playoffs.
The Chargers play against the LA Rams on November 1 and against Houston on November 8.
They will get a chance to overturn the outcome in their favor on January 3, 2027, when they will play against the Chiefs in the regular-season rematch at their home ground. Meanwhile, the Chiefs will continue their undefeated streak and ensure a solid standing in the AFC.
