The Chiefs managed to force Los Angeles into a long third down prior to the two-minute warning, too, but Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert broke free for a 19-yard scramble that moved the chains and effectively put the game away.
It was a disappointing ending to what had the makings of another memorable comeback by Kansas City, but in the end, several self-inflicted errors proved to be too difficult to overcome on Friday night.
“I want to thank the people of Brazil and Sao Paulo for the hospitality. We didn’t give all those fans who showed up the best show,” said Head Coach Andy Reid. “We can learn from this as we move forward, which we’ll do. I have to make sure I get my team in a better state there – playing with more emotion. We were a little flat there in the first half, and that cost us.”
Indeed, the Chiefs committed 10 total penalties, missed an extra point and struggled on both sides of the ball throughout much of Friday’s game, but despite those miscues, the Chiefs still found themselves in a position to win the game late in the fourth quarter due in large part to Mahomes’ second-half heroics.