A blocked field goal. A botched snap. The width of the goalposts.
Three small moments. They are the difference between the Kansas City Chiefs being 3-0 at Arrowhead against AFC West rivals, or 0-3.
Having blocked a game-winning Denver Broncos field goal and watched as the Las Vegas Raiders snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, on Sunday night it was the turn of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Bolts had no offense to speak of in the first half, but came rallying back in the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead.
Unfortunately, the is the Chargers we are talking about. Close games always seem to end the same way.
That being said, Sunday night’s game against the Chiefs ended in particularly agonising fashion.
Kansas City’s kicker Michael Wright had hearts in mouths throughout Arrowhead, as his 31-yard field goal bounced off the left upright, before falling the correct side of the crossbar – as far as Chiefs fans are concerned.
This inability of the Chargers to win close games is getting comical. In fact, the last time LA won a game which was decided by three points or fewer was against the Atlanta Falcons in November 2022.
Since then, the Bolts have been involved in 11 such games, and they have lost each and every one of them.
If that sounds like an historically bad run, well it is. The streak is tied for the third-longest in NFL history.
From a Chiefs perspective, the ‘division doink’ secures a ninth-straight AFC West title, as their series of fortunate events continues.
Reasons to be cheerful
Despite the defeat, things are not all doom and gloom for the Chargers.
Losing at Arrowhead is nothing to be ashamed of. That is particularly the case when you are without your starting running back and wide receiver.
Justin Herbert also spent long periods of the game nursing an injury. He is now questionable for next week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and must be monitored closely.
Looking at the positives from Sunday night, Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston both had impressive games. ‘QJ’ has had huge drop problems this season, but made two huge grabs – as well as a touchdown in the third quarter.
The pass rush looks among the best in the NFL. I cannot recall a Chiefs game where Patrick Mahomes spent as much time on the floor. Credit where it is due to the Chiefs quarterback for not throwing a pick.
Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree caused Kansas City issues all evening. They will be a problem for any offensive line.
Keeping Herbert healthy for the run in and postseason – assuming the Bolts make it that far – is the priority.
If J.K. Dobbins and Ladd McConkey were both available last night, it could have been a very different outcome.
That being said, even at full strength, the Chargers need to break this curse of close-game catastrophes. The sooner they do the better!
