The inaugural regular-season "Thursday Night Football" game on Amazon Prime Video didn't let down. Los Angeles Chargers' winning streak of two games in Kansas City came to a stop this season as they entered the AFC West battle.
Justin Herbert was intercepted by the Chiefs early in the fourth quarter, giving them a 24-17 advantage they would not relinquish.
Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Chiefs, gave a tough effort. He completed 24-of-35 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns as the Chargers were defeated 27-24.
In the previous six seasons, the victory gave the Chiefs their sixth 2-0 start. Mahomes increased his record against AFC West opponents to 22-3 for his career.
Here is what we learned from the Chiefs-Chargers tilt:
Goes for six - Jaylen Watson first NFL interception
On Thursday night, Herbert didn't throw many bad passes, but he chose poorly at the goal line. Gerald Everett was the target of a forced pass by the Chargers quarterback. Herbert believed Everett had inside leverage, but it turned out that he didn't in what seemed to be a communication breakdown between the quarterback and tight end. Herbert's ball was intercepted by rookie Jaylen Watson, who ran it for a 99-yard score.
"I simply took the ball home after it wound up in my chest. It was a strange sensation. I feel so privileged and grateful to be in this situation. When I reached the end zone, I had no idea what to do "said Watson. "I'll never forget that particular moment.
It was Watson's first interception, and it was also the game's pivotal play. The Chiefs took the game's first lead after the pick six, and they held onto it.
"I'm very impressed with those young defensemen. You simply can't tell unless you're in these circumstances "Mahomes uttered. It's a huge step forward, in my opinion, for the defence to keep us around.
In the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Watson was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lack explosiveness through air - Chiefs balanced on offense
For the second week in a row, nine different players received passes from Mahomes. Being patient in the pocket was a must, and the Chiefs quarterback did a great job of coming up with ideas that weren't on the playbook.
Travis Kelce, a tight end with the Chiefs, led the group with five receptions for 51 yards. Eight players registered two or more receptions.
Regarding Kansas City's well-rounded passing attack, Mahomes remarked, "It's going to be everybody." "It won't just be one individual,"
The Kansas City offence wasn't given an easy time by the Chargers defence. The Chiefs will need to create explosive plays in order to overcome strong defences.
In the third quarter, Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson manoeuvred around Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson, who was out of position, for a touchdown reception of 41 yards. That was the evening's longest passing play for Kansas City.
Tyreek Hill, a former wide receiver, was a vertical threat and had big-play potential that the Chiefs missed.
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A man amongst boys - Mike Williams
Keenan Allen, the Chargers' wide receiver, did not play (hamstring). Williams did a great job carrying the weight for the Chargers receivers despite the five-time Pro Bowler's absence.
For the majority of the game, Williams was a mismatch for the Chiefs' cornerbacks. The 6-foot-4 wideout outclassed Kansas City's smaller defensive backs by using his size and sure hands. LeBron James and Kevin Durant both praised him for a one-handed touchdown reception he made in the third quarter.
Williams caught his eighth touchdown pass in his career at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium. the most a visitor player has ever accrued at Arrowhead Stadium.
Williams had eight catches for 113 yards and a touchdown as the game came to a close.
Justin Herbert gets knocked out
In the fourth quarter, Herbert sustained a significant blow to the ribs and had to leave the game to make a play. When Herbert came back, the significant hit was obviously bothering him.
In the defeat, Herbert completed 33 of 48 passes for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
After the game, Chargers coach Brandon Staley stated that Herbert was "OK" and that he didn't anticipate a long-term problem with his injury.
"No quarterback at any level of football will play harder, offer his team more, or convince them to give them a shot than he will. No one else is capable of what he is, "After the game, Staley said of Herbert. He displayed a lot of bravery.