Struck by a Lightning Bolt

Dejected fans filed out of Arrowhead, having just watched their Chiefs lose their first home game of the season – by one point no less. But in Kansas City, there are no fair weather fans. We shall stand by our Chiefs, win or lose.

Now, let’s highlight some of the more exciting moments for us from last night, like the return of Eric Berry!

Loud applause erupted from a sea of red from the stands at Arrowhead the moment that Berry and the other defensive players raced on to the field. Berry had not been seen since his injury in the 2017 season opener. 

Now #29 was storming back onto the field, and assuming his position at strong safety. Berry made his presence known right away. 

On the second play of the game, Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers dropped back to pass. Berry stormed in on a blitz, and while he did not get to the QB, he helped hurry a deep pass attempt that was overthrown and picked off by cornerback Steven Nelson. The Chiefs offense would capitalize off this early pick provided by the Chiefs D, by marching down the field, seeming to stall in the red zone, then, with a defender wrapped around him and the play seeming to be all but dead. 

It took Pat Mahomes a whole 6 seconds to zip the ball to Demarcus Robinson in the end zone for the first Chiefs touchdown. This cannot be over described. Mahomes had a defender wrapped around him, almost forcing him into a sack. Mahomes appeared to throw the ball away, knowing he was about to be dragged to the turf. Then, when the play appeared to be over, almost lazily, Mahomes shot a dart of a pass to Robinson in the end zone. 

One thing is for sure.

Whether the Chiefs win or lose, there will be at least one moment in the game, where QB Patrick Mahomes will leave you with your mouth a gape, at a loss for words of what you just saw. This most recent TD pass would tie Mahomes with Dan Marino in 7^th place for single season touchdown passes at 44. 

Later in the first quarter, Mahomes would connect with rookie Darrel Williams, for an 11 yard pass, giving the rookie his first TD catch of the season and giving Mahomes his 45th TD pass, tying Aaron Rodgers at 6^th place for TDs in a single season.

While running back, Spencer Ware was missed in the offensive huddle, Damien Williams - a former Oklahoma Sooner by the way (insert BOOMER SOONER chant here) - filled in for him admirably, starting off with a nice 22 yard run on the Chiefs first drive, then catching a six yard pass from Mahomes a few plays later, converting a 3^rd and 5 to achieve the all-important first down. On the Chiefs second drive, a screen pass from Mahomes to Williams turned into a 32 yard gain by the elusive running back.

Damien Williams led the Chiefs in rushing and receiving, gaining 123 yards of total offense, 74 receiving yards, and 49 rushing yards and 2 TDs. Mahomes finished the night 24-34, for 243 yards and 2 TD passes.

The Chiefs defense held their own as well, picking off Rivers twice, once on the opening drive of the game, then again by Kendall Fuller, as Rivers threw a pass into the end zone. Chris Jones continued to uphold his reputation as a one man wrecking crew, wrapping himself around Rivers’ ankles and sprawling him onto the turf, giving him his 10^th consecutive game with a sack which ties a league record and gives Jones 12 1.2 sacks on the season. Just for good measure, he would add another sack later in the second quarter. Then Jones and Justin Houston would team up for another sack, placing Jones at second place in the league of single season sacks, ahead of Von Miller and trailing only Aaron Donald, with 16 and 1.2.

It ultimately came down to Chiefs: 28, Chargers: 21.

The Chargers had the ball with a couple minutes to go. Aided by big yardage plays and Chiefs penalties, the Chargers were able to march down the field and score. This tied the game, and would have forced the game into the second Chiefs overtime in the last one week, but Rivers had none of that.

He held two fingers up in the air. The Chargers were going for two. Rivers completed the 2 point conversion pass to Mike Williams, breaking a 9 game losing streak against the Chiefs, and putting a stop to the Chiefs clenching the AFC West title for a 3^rd year in a row. 

The Chiefs still have the opportunity to do so, for they do hold the tie breaker against the Chargers, but we must see how these last two games of the season will play out.

The Chiefs have a good 10 days to rest up, before they board the plane for Seattle to take on the Seahawks in their final road game of the season. Then it’s back to Arrowhead to finish off the division - and the regular season - with a showdown against the Raiders.

Disappointments and hard losses come with being a sports fan – and it hurts. That is our cross the bear, but you better believe, that as I sit, writing these final words, wearing a Chiefs hoodie and Chiefs hat, that the BQB will never give up on our Chiefs.

Be sure to stay tuned after the upcoming blog about the Seahawks game. There could be a very very special bonus blog in the making…Stay tuned.