The Chiefs got into a 21-3 hole and were never able to climb out of it, in a 28-20 loss to the Chargers Sunday. Kansas City’s offense stalled in the first half, as they took that 21-3 deficit into the locker room. Lawrence Tynes’ 34-yard field goal with 5:24 to go in the second quarter cut the San Diego lead to 14-3, but the Chargers responded with a five-play, 74 yard drive, which resulted in a 20 yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Antonio Gates.
Gates finished with 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns and Brees was 25-of-43 for 324 yards passing and three TD’s.
In the third quarter, the Chiefs were able to score on a 16-yard pass from Trent Green to Tony Gonzalez to put the finishing touches on a 91-yard drive. The Chargers lead was cut to 21-10.
Hope seemed alive for Kansas City when Greg Wesley intercepted Brees and returned it 50 yards, but a penalty from Jared Allen moved the ball back to the San Diego 44. The Chiefs were still able drive the ball to the 11-yard line before Green fumbled the ball on a sack. The Chargers recovered, ending the scoring threat.
The Kansas City defense was able to force a punt on the next possession and Dante Hall took it 52 yards to the Chargers’ 35. Despite getting to the two-yard line, the Chiefs had to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Tynes and Kansas City inched to within eight points of the lead.
San Diego responded with a 53-yard touchdown drive. 35 of those yards came in the form of the third Brees-to-Gates hookup of the day. The extra point gave the Chargers a 28-13 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs put another touchdown on the board when Green hit Eddie Kennison for a seven-yard score. The onside kick attempt failed and the Chargers held on to win.
Priest Holmes carried the ball 14 times before leaving the game after a hit to the head. Larry Johnson had 55 yards on the ground on six carries. Green was 31-for-43 with 347 yards passing and two touchdowns. That performance came just three days after his father’s death.