How KC Chiefs’ defense kept undefeated season alive at L.A. Chargers: report card

The Chiefs spotted the L.A. Chargers 10 points Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium, falling behind in the first half for the fourth straight game.

But the Chiefs regrouped and improved to 4-0 with a 17-10 victory in their AFC West opener .

Here’s our weekly analysis and report card:

KC STAR OF THE GAME

Chris Jones’ second sack of the day ended the Chargers’ best shot late in the fourth quarter and was just the latest example of terrific overall play by the KC defense.

Jones got the sacks, but numerous Chiefs constantly harassed Chargers QB Justin Herbert. Special mention here goes to Chiefs DB Jaylon Watson, who was credited with two passes defended and turned in a big third-down stop on a J.K. Dobbins running play in the first half.

Next up: The Chiefs return home to play the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football on Oct. 7. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m. at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

REPORT CARD

Passing offense: D

The Chiefs couldn’t have scripted a worse start. On the game’s fourth snap, Mahomes overthrew a target and was intercepted. That led to the sequence on which WR Rashee Rice suffered a knee injury , as Mahomes and Rice converged on the defender-turned-runner in an attempt to bring him down.

The Chargers were able to get plenty of pressure on Mahomes, even with Joey Bosa out with a hip injury. Sacks ended a pair of KC drives.

Finally, however, there was a breakthrough moment. Rookie WR Xavier Worthy hauled in a 54-yard TD pass on a go-route to get the Chiefs on the board.

TE Travis Kelce produced his best game of the season, with seven receptions for 89 yards. And he became the team’s career leader in catches, surpassing Tony Gonzalez.

Kelce obviously was a big part of the game plan, and his importance increased with the loss of Rice, which was devastating. Rice entered the game ranked third in the NFL with 24 receptions and had become the Chiefs’ main offensive threat.

Rushing offense: B

How can one play change the feel of a game? Mahomes had just connected with Kelce for a 38-yard gain on the game’s third snap.

On the fourth, Carson Steele had the ball stripped for his second lost fumble of the season. The snowball had started rolling. And Steele’s playing time was reduced after that.

In his first game back with the Chiefs, Kareem Hunt looked like the new featured back. His cuts and change of direction got him extra yards, and he appeared comfortable running behind the Chiefs’ offensive line. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry.

Passing defense: B

Chargers QB Justin Herbert had been a limited participant in practice this week, and it was difficult to hold up under the Chiefs pass rush. The Chiefs bothered some of his throws, taking advantage of the Chargers’ replacements for injured tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater.

Rushing defense: A

Once again, the Chiefs excelled at slowing an opponent’s top rusher. J.K. Dobbins came in averaging more than 100 yards per game. He finished with 32 yards and a 2.3 yards-per-carry average. LB Drue Tranquill was all over the place with 10 tackles.

Special teams: A

Superb coverage in downing a Matt Araiza punt at the 2. That flipped the field, allowing the Chiefs to get the ball back around midfield to set up Mahomes’ deep shot to Worthy.

Kicker Harrison Butker missed his first field goal of the season, but he could hardly be blamed. A holding penalty on Trey Smith killed the Chiefs’ drive just before halftime and the attempt came from 65 yards out. It fell just short.