Jaylen Watson Posts 99-Yard Pick-Six, Chiefs Better Than the Chargers, 27-24

Jaylen Watson was the hero of Thursday Night Football, with the young cornerback leading his Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-24 comeback win over the LA Chargers. The battle of two top candidates for winning the AFC West division and two of the more prominent Super Bowl contenders saw the Chiefs ending up on the winning side following a comeback.

Watson picked Justin Herbert early in the fourth period, posting a 99-yard go-ahead touchdown, and killing the morale of the guests. At that moment, the result was tied at 17-all, with the Chargers being close to scoring and neutralizing the Chiefs’ momentum following ten consecutive points. Though, Watson didn’t think that would be convenient.

“I don’t even remember what happened at that moment,” Watson said later. “It’s all so surreal.”

He perfectly timed and evaluated Justin Herbert’s throw towards TE Gerald Everett, stepping in front of the Chargers’ player and then avoiding Herbert at full speed before reaching the end zone. The Arrowhead Stadium erupted, and at that point, it was obvious that the Chiefs were near a victory.

On the very next possession, the guests from LA won only one yard on three snaps, having to punt the football. Even though the Chiefs didn’t do much better, KC’s defense stopped the Chargers once again, and this time, Matt Amendola hit a 31-yard field goal to increase the lead to 27-17.

LAC made the final push with a touchdown with 1:11 before the game, when Herbert found Joshua Palmer, but there was no time for the Chargers to do anything more. They’ve tried the onside kick, yet the Chiefs recovered the football.

Herbert received a huge hit in the ribs during the game, but the X-rays showed he didn’t suffer any injuries.

“You’re not going to see a quarterback in any level of football play tougher and do more for his team and will his team and give them a chance than him,” said the LAC’s head coach, Brandon Staley.

He was 33/48 with 334 yards, three touchdown passes and one pick. Mike Williams was his top target, and the WR caught the football eight times, for 113 yards and one touchdown. The other two ended in Palmer’s and Zander Horvath’s hands. Everett had 71 receiving yards.

The rushers weren’t at the expected level of play posting only 75 yards on the ground in 24 snaps. Austin Ekeler had 39 on 14 carries. Meanwhile, the defense was off to a good start allowing the hosts just 13 yards in the opening period, yet slowed down afterward. The newcomer, Khalil Mack, had half a sack.

Please no man.

Don’t take Justin Herbert from us pic.twitter.com/GMcyYG7Zpo

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 16, 2022

Among the hosts, Chris Jones caught Mahomes twice, posting the lone two sacks on the Chiefs’ team. Mahomes completed 24 of his 35 passes, for 235 yards and two scores. Four players had 44 or more yards, with Travis Kelce posting the most, 51 on five receptions. Justin Watson had a touchdown and 50 receiving yards, while Jerick McKinnon caught one touchdown as well.

The rushers had 93 yards on 18 carries, Clyde Edwards-Hellaire leading the way with 74 on eight snaps.

Up next, the KC Chiefs head for Indianapolis to meet the Colts next Sunday. A week later, they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium.

As for the Chargers, they now get back home to host the Jacksonville Jaguars before hitting the road for back-to-back outings against the Texans and the Browns.