San Diego Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats On Dec 13, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Dec 13, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In weather conditions suitable for waterfowl, the Kansas City Chiefs extended their winning streak to seven games on Sunday with a 10-3 victory over the San Diego Chargers at soggy Arrowhead Stadium

The victory moved the Chiefs to 8-5 overall and they continue to lead the run for a wildcard slot in the AFC playoffs.

Rain began falling Sunday morning, and it did not stop from opening kickoff to the game's final play. While field conditions appeared solid, it was impossible for either team to keep the football dry and the chains moving.

There were more turnovers (three) than touchdowns (one) on the afternoon and the Chiefs did not help themselves with seven penalties that wiped out 142 yards gained on offensive plays and a punt return.

This game went down to the final play, as San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers led the Chargers offense down the field, and had his offense at the Chiefs 23-yard line with 36 seconds to play. On the final two snaps of the game, Rivers passes into the end zone were broken up.

It didn't help the Chiefs when quarterback Alex Smith threw his first interception since September. Before that, punt returner Frankie Hammond coughed up the football, the first time K.C. turned the ball over at Arrowhead Stadium since September.

San Diego was unable to take advantage of the gifts.

With starting position at the K.C. 26-yard line after the fumble, they were unable to make a first down, then kicker Josh Lambo was wide left on a 42-yard field goal attempt. After the interception, the Chargers put together a short drive, but it ended with a punt.

That kick was downed at the Chiefs 4-yard line and the Chiefs put together their best drive of the game, going nine plays and 96 yards before Smith connected with wide receiver Albert Wilson for a 44-yard touchdown with 1 minute, 53 seconds to play in the first half. On the scoring drive, the first eight snaps in the possession were all running plays, as the Chiefs offensive line was able to move the San Diego defensive front with a ground-and-pound attack behind Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West.

Kansas City wasn't done in the first half, as linebacker Derrick Johnson grabbed a tipped pass and gave the Chiefs another opportunity, starting at the Chiefs 39-yard line with 29 seconds on the game clock. A 21-yard pass play to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and then an 18-yard run by Smith moved them into field goal range and Cairo Santos made a 40-yard field and the Chiefs took a 10-0 lead to the intermission.

On the Chiefs first possession of the second half, they got themselves in position for a 46-yard field goal attempt, but a botched hold by punter Dustin Colquitt led to a kick that got no more than five feet off the ground. The Chargers finally got on the scoreboard with 5 minutes, 47 seconds to play in the third quarter when Lambo hit a 30-yard field goal.

NOTES: Smith's 311 consecutive attempts without an interception elevated him to the second longest streak in NFL history, behind only Tom Brady's 358 passes. … Despite spending most of Saturday in bed because of the flu, Rivers started his 157th consecutive game for the Chargers, the second longest such streak in the NFL, topped only by Eli Manning's stretch of 179 starts. … Last week, Zach Fulton started at center for the injured Mitch Morse on the Chiefs offensive line. Against San Diego, Fulton started at left guard for the injured Jeff Allen. … Temperature at kickoff was 61 degrees, making it the warmest December home game for the Chiefs in 21 years. … The victory guaranteed the Chiefs a third straight season without a losing record, the first time they've done that since 1995-97.