2024-01-08 01:52:02
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Mike Edwards returned a fumble for a 97-yard touchdown, Harrison Butker hit a 49-yard field goal with 49 seconds left, and the AFC West champion Chiefs Kansas City defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 13-12 on Sunday while resting most of their starters.
With the Chiefs (11-6) already locked into the third playoff seed in the AFC, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were inactive. Kelce finished with 984 receiving yards, ending the All-Pro tight end’s bid to reach his eighth consecutive season with at least 1,000 yards.
Kansas City will host either Buffalo or Miami next week in the wild card round.
The Chargers (5-12) closed the season with five straight losses, the last three following head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco were fired on Dec. 15.
The Chargers were on the 18th play of their first possession when Stick was tackled by Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu at the Kansas City 5-yard line, giving them the fumble. Edwards picked up the ball at the 3 and carried it 97 yards for his fourth touchdown in his five-year career.
Easton Stick, who started the final four games following Justin Herbert suffered a season-ending finger injury, completed 28 of 47 passes for a total of 258 yards, and had 77 yards rushing.
Blaine Gabbert, making his first start since 2018 with Tennessee, completed 15 of 30 passes for a total of 154 yards. Gabbert had scampers of 25 and 14 yards during a nine-play, 51-yard possession late in the fourth quarter that resulted in Butker’s second field goal.
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