Munich – The Kansas City Chiefs remain at the top in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes and Co. prevailed against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams with 26:10. The Chiefs quarterback had 210 yards through the half at halftime and ended up for 320 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams started without their injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, leaving a void that backup Bryce Perkins couldn’t fill. The quarterback revealed small rays of hope in between, but also afforded two costly interceptions towards the end. 79 yards and a touchdown were ultimately not enough.
Kansas City mit Touchdown-Problemen
The Chiefs’ offense started stuttering at first, after five plays Mahomes had to go to the sidelines again. Only Perkins was even faster from the field. Thanks to Skyy Moore’s fumble on the punt return, he got another chance immediately, but went down again with a three and out.
Then Mahomes found his MVP form. 90 yards in nine plays and in the end Travis Kelce was in the end zone for a touchdown. Los Angeles struggled in return for the first scoring drive, kicker Matt Gay shortened to 3: 6 from 47 yards.
Offensively, it was the only bright spot in a poor first half for the Rams, who were battered by injuries. But the Chiefs couldn’t find their way into the end zone before the break either. Kicker Harrison Butker increased from 27 and 32 yards with a field goal to make it 13:3 at halftime. Andy Reid was probably not very enthusiastic about his team’s performance and is said to have demanded “more touchdowns” during the break.
Chiefs Defense puts the lid on
The Chiefs’ head coach got the next one through running back Isiah Pacheco. There was a hint of predecisiveness in the air. But not with Bryce Perkins. The Rams’ nominally third quarterback found his rhythm more and more, led his team over 75 yards to the end zone and was able to celebrate his first NFL touchdown with the successful pass to Van Jefferson.
In the fourth quarter, the Rams defense flexed its muscles again. First she stopped the Chiefs just before their own end zone, then Nick Scott also conceded the interception from Mahomes.
In return, however, Perkins threw the ball into the opponent’s hands. Kansas then had to settle for the field goal again. Another interception by the Chiefs defense put the lid on it.
With a 9-2 record, the Chiefs remain the best team in the AFC. The Rams, on the other hand, are trailing 3-8 in the NFC West just outside of playoff range.
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals
Wild finish in Arizona. The Los Angeles Chargers are staying in the playoff race with a lot of courage. Thanks to a last-minute touchdown by Austin Ekeler and a two-point conversion by Gerald Everett, the Californians beat the Arizona Cardinals 25-24.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. With his second of the night, he moved up to the second spot for quarterbacks with most touchdowns in their first three seasons. Kyler Murray rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals, but also had an interception.
The win keeps the Chargers hot on the heels of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, pushing their record to 6-5. Arizona, 4-8, is in danger of missing the playoffs this season.