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Chargers blow 17-point lead in fourth quarter and fall to Chiefs in overtime

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith dives past Chargers linebacker Tourek Williams to score the game-winning touchdown Sunday.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
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Alex Smith dived for a touchdown on the first possession of overtime, completing the Kansas City Chiefs’ frantic rally from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the San Diego Chargers, 33-27, in their season opener Sunday.

Smith threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, the second a back-shoulder fade to Jeremy Maclin with just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter that trimmed the Chiefs’ deficit to 27-17.

Cairo Santos kicked a 33-yard field goal a few minutes later, and after forcing a three-and-out, Spencer Ware finished off a four-play drive with a touchdown plunge to knot it at 27.

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Kansas City needed 10 plays to march 75 yards in overtime, and Smith finished off one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history with his keeper from the 2-yard line on third-and-goal.

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