Chiefs beat Chargers. Three takeaways.
- Lewis Green
- Dec 9, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2024
Well, you just knew the Chiefs would keep us sweating until the very last second. The suspenseful finish is practically their trademark at this point. Was it going to be a botched snap to steal possession? A blocked field goal? Maybe lightning striking mid-throw as Herbert launched a game-winner to a wide-open Quentin Johnston in overtime? Nah, this week was a bit more... tame. A doinked walk-off field goal from backup-backup kicker Matthew Wright sealed a tense 19-17 win over the Chargers at Arrowhead.
The Chiefs improve to a sparkling 12-1, but this nail-biter offered plenty to dissect. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from a wild (if slightly anticlimactic) AFC West showdown.
Takeaway One: Chiefs win AFC West ninth straight time.
The AFC West? Still firmly under Kansas City’s rule. For the ninth consecutive season, the division belongs to Mahomes and company—a streak that now feels less like a hot run and more like a permanent state of affairs.
Yes, there’s excitement brewing in the West. Denver looks revitalized under Sean Payton, and Jim Harbaugh has brought a new level of competitiveness to Los Angeles. The division’s future seems destined to become one of the league’s most intriguing and hard-fought battles. But for now, any talk of a shift in power feels premature.
This streak isn’t just impressive; it’s historic. The Chiefs already hold the second-longest streak of consecutive division titles in NFL history, surpassing the 1970s Los Angeles Rams last year. Still, there’s a bigger prize in sight: New England’s record of 11 straight AFC East crowns from 2009 to 2019. To match it, Kansas City would need three more—including this season. Given how they’ve dominated so far, would anyone really bet against them?
Once again, the AFC West is painted in red and gold, and until proven otherwise, this division remains Kansas City’s kingdom.
Takeaway Two: Mahomes is still an MVP candidate.
With 3,189 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, Patrick Mahomes' season stats don’t scream "MVP season"—Players like Joe Burrow (30 touchdowns), Lamar Jackson (29 touchdowns, three picks), and even the resurrected Sam Darnold (28 touchdowns) have flashier resumes so far. Mahomes? He’s more of a slow-burn MVP candidate, quietly orchestrating a campaign that doesn’t need gaudy numbers to shine. Because, when it comes to Patrick Mahomes, the numbers are just the garnish—the magic is in the moments.
And boy, has he delivered those. Mahomes has tied the NFL record for game-winning drives in a season with seven—and there are still four games left to play. Week after week, when the Chiefs have teetered on the edge of defeat, Mahomes has been the steady hand that drags them to safety. Whether it’s a 92-yard touchdown march or simply making the right call when the pressure is suffocating, Mahomes owns the moments that separate good from great, and great from legendary.
The Chiefs sit at 12-1, holding the best record in the AFC, and it’s no exaggeration to say Mahomes has been their heartbeat, espec. Now imagine this: he finishes with 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns, and a sparkling 16-1 record. Suddenly, those box-score kings like Burrow and Lamar feel a little less impressive. Mahomes doesn’t just win games; he defines them. In a league obsessed with stats, Mahomes is the outlier who shows up when it matters most.
If MVP stands for “Most Valuable Player,” how could it go to anyone else? Mahomes isn’t just leading the Chiefs—he’s leading the NFL in what counts most: winning.
Takeaway Three: Arrowhead Invitational is back?.
After the Los Angeles Rams edged out the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves with a comfortable two-game lead in the AFC with just four games remaining. While nothing is guaranteed, the Chiefs are firmly in control of their own destiny. Their remaining slate—Texans, Steelers, Browns, and Broncos—features tough, well-coached opponents, but it’s a stretch they should feel confident about navigating.
Meanwhile, Buffalo, sitting in the second seed, faces a tricky matchup against the formidable Detroit Lions next week, bolstering Kansas City’s chances of securing the AFC’s coveted top spot. For a team that had to slug it out on the road in Baltimore and Buffalo last postseason, locking up home-field advantage and the bye week would be a massive boost. Two playoff games at Arrowhead with the rowdy Kingdom behind them? That’s exactly where the Chiefs want to be—and right now, it’s exactly where they’re headed.
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