Munich – The Kansas City Chiefs remain at the top of the AFC. Patrick Mahomes and Co. prevailed against the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams with 26:10. The Chiefs quarterback had 210 yards in the half at halftime and finished for 320 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams started without their injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, leaving a gap that backup Bryce Perkins couldn’t fill. The quarterback revealed small rays of hope in the middle, but also allowed two costly interceptions near the end. 79 yards and a touchdown eventually weren’t enough.
Kansas City with Touchdown Problems
At first the Chiefs offense started to stutter, after five plays Mahomes had to go back on the sidelines. Only Perkins was even faster from the field. Thanks to Skyy Moore’s fumble on a punt return, he immediately had another chance, but he fell again with a three and was out.
Then Mahomes found his MVP form. 90 yards in nine plays and eventually Travis Kelce was in the end zone for a touchdown. Los Angeles struggled in exchange for the first scoring drive, kicker Matt Gay shorted to 3:6 from 47 yards.
Offensively, it was the one bright spot in a poor first half for the Rams, who have been battered by injuries. But the Chiefs couldn’t find their way to the end zone before halftime either. Kicker Harrison Butker surged from 27 and 32 yards with a field goal to make it 13:3 at halftime. Andy Reid was probably not thrilled with his team’s performance and is said to have asked for “more touchdowns” at halftime.
Chiefs Defense puts the lid on
The Chiefs coach got the next one off running back Isiah Pacheco. There was a hint of predecision in the air. But not with Bryce Perkins. The third rated quarterback of the Rams increasingly found the rhythm of him, carried 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. He first stopped the Chiefs just short of their end zone, then Nick Scott also allowed Mahomes’ interception.
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.
With a 9-2 record, the Chiefs remain the best team in the AFC. The Rams, on the other hand, trail 3-8 in the NFC West just outside playoff range.
Los Angeles Chargers to the Arizona Cardinals
Wild ending in Arizona. The Los Angeles Chargers stay in the playoff race with a lot of courage. Thanks to a last minute touchdown by Austin Ekeler and a two-point try 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 second place for quarterbacks with the most touchdowns in their first three seasons. Kyler Murray rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals, but also had one interception.
The win keeps the Chargers trailing the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, bringing their record to 6-5. Arizona, 4-8, is in danger of missing the playoffs this season.
New Orleans Saints to the San Francisco 49ers
Shutouts in the Bay Area. The San Francisco 49ers gave the New Orleans Saints no points in a defensive battle and won 13-0. Jimmy Garoppolo threw 222 yards through the air and found Jauan Jennings in the end zone with his only touchdown of the night. Footballer Robbie Gould got the other points.
The Saints didn’t get a chance to close the gap until the fourth quarter, but kicker Will Lutz made his only attempt to left. Quarterback Andy Dalton failed to lead his team in runs despite 204 rushing yards.
That puts the 49ers atop the NFC West with their sights set on the playoffs, while New Orleans slips to 4-8 but still has a division win in the NFC South.
The Raiders of Las Vegas at the Seattle Seahawks
Las Vegas Raiders win overtime run in Seattle. The Seahawks won 40-34 after TDCs. Josh Jacobs provided the acclaimed victory with a monster run for 86 yards. German Jakob Johnson posted the decisive block.
Derek Carr threw 295 mighty yards through the air, throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions. But Johnson was outstanding with 229 rushing yards and a total of two touchdowns. The running game was not very present in the Seahawks, but Geno Smith put up for 328 yards and two touchdowns.
With the loss, the Seahawks slip to a 6-5 record and must battle for a divisional win with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. Las Vegas celebrated their fourth win of the season, but should have little chance of making the playoffs in the AFC.
