Chargers lose to Chiefs in season finale, will have No. 5 pick in NFL draft
A season of too many close losses ended appropriately Sunday for the Chargers — with a 13-12 defeat to Kansas City at SoFi Stadium.
Harrison Butker’s 41-yard field goal with 49 seconds to play was the difference.
All the Chargers’ points came on field goals by Cameron Dicker.
The loss was the fifth in a row and eighth in nine games for the 5-12 Chargers, who finished last in the AFC West.
The results Sunday left the Chargers with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Over the last 19 years, the only time this franchise selected higher was in 2016 when the Chargers took Joey Bosa at No. 3.
As for what’s immediately next, the Chargers will conduct exit interviews beginning Monday morning at their Costa Mesa training facility.
Harrison Butker field goal lifts Chiefs to victory over Chargers
🏈 Chiefs 13, Chargers 12 — FINAL
Harrison Butker kicked a 41-yard field goal with 49 seconds left in regulation to lift the Chiefs to a comeback victory over the Chargers.
The Chargers got the ball back for one final possession, but struggled to move the ball. Easton Stick tried to find rookie Quentin Johnston on fourth down, but the pass was too high, securing the win for Kansas City.
Chargers take lead on Cameron Dicker’s fourth field goal
🏈 Chargers 12, Chiefs 10 — 4:06 left in the fourth quarter
Cameron Dicker kicked a 20-yard field goal to give the Chargers their first lead of the game after they failed to punch it from the one-yard line. It was Dicker’s fourth field goal of the game.
Easton Stick scrambled to the Kansas City one-yard line on a first-down scramble, but the Chargers couldn’t find the end zone after Stick threw an incomplete pass and Austin Ekeler was tackled for a loss.
Cameron Dicker’s third field goal makes it a one-point game
🏈 Chiefs 10, Chargers 9 — 4:11 left in the third quarter
Cameron Dicker kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it a one-point game.
The field goal capped a 12-play, 60-yard drive for the Chargers fueled by a 24-yard pass from Easton Stick to Donald Parham.
The Chargers might have to go the rest of the way without right tackle Trey Pipkins III, who is questionable to return with a knee injury. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is also questionable to return with a knee injury.
Chargers tack on a field goal just before halftime
🏈 Chiefs 10, Chargers 6 — HALFTIME
The Chargers went into halftime cutting into Kansas City’s lead after Cameron Dicker’s 40-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter.
In 28 career regular-season games, Dicker is now 50 of 53 on field goals — missing from 50, 52 and 53 yards — while making all 59 of his extra points.
He was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl last week.
The Chargers’ final possession of the half was set up by Alohi Gilman’s second interception of the season.
The Chargers will receive the kickoff to start the third quarter.
Chargers get on scoreboard with a field goal
🏈 Chiefs 10, Chargers 3 — 2:43 left in the second quarter
Cameron Dicker’s 49-yard field goal cut into Kansas City’s lead.
Quarterback Easton Stick has opened the game 10 of 19 for 62 yards as the Chargers have totaled 113 yards of offense against many of the Chiefs’ backups.
Tight end Gerald Everett, who suffered a knee injury on the Chargers’ opening offensive possession, has now been ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Right guard Jamaree Salyer missed some time because of an eye injury but has since returned.
Chiefs extend their lead on field goal in second quarter
🏈 Chiefs 10, Chargers 0 — 4:03 left in the second quarter
Kansas City extended its lead late in the first half on a 22-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.
A loss today would be the Chargers’ fifth in a row, but it wouldn’t hurt their draft positioning.
When this game kicked off, they held the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Depending on the rest of the results around the league, the Chargers could move up to as high as No. 4 or drop to as low as No. 7.
Over the past 19 years, the only time this franchise selected higher than No. 6 was 2016 when the Chargers took Joey Bosa at No. 3.
Mike Edwards scores on 97-yard fumble return for Chiefs
🏈 Chiefs 7, Chargers 0 — 4:56 left in the first quarter
The Chargers moved 70 yards in 18 plays on their opening drive — and fell behind when Easton Stick’s fumble became a highlight touchdown for Kansas City.
The quarterback lost the ball on a hit by defensive end Charles Omenihu, with safety Mike Edwards recovering and going 97 yards to give the Chiefs an early lead.
Before the fumble, Stick completed six of nine attempts for 42 yards and ran six times for another 27 yards as the Chargers picked up five first downs.
The Chargers lost tight end Gerald Everett during the series because of a knee injury. They announced that the veteran is questionable to return.
Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers? After magical Rose Bowl, he’s a perfect fit
“Hail! to the victors valiant…”
On a magical night at the Rose Bowl, thousands of maize-and-blue-decked fans sang it like they meant it because, for once, they really meant it.
“Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes…”
After a giant embrace from Grandaddy, dozens of maize-and-blue-decked young men lived the words by storming and swarming and sobbing all over the chilly Arroyo Seco.
“Hail! Hail! to Michigan...”
It’s true. It’s real. It happened. One of college football’s most legendary fight songs finally lived up to its lyrics Monday night in a game that put Michigan just one more heave from lifting a burden for the ages.
Inactives for Chargers vs. 49ers on Sunday
Here are the players who will not be suiting up for the Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday:
Chargers got more ‘Tongan Power’ than expected when they drafted Tuli Tuipulotu
It’s where he is from, most assuredly, even if he never has been there.
So, for years now, he has punctuated significant plays on the football field by forming a capital “T” with his arms in celebratory tribute to Tonga.
That’s how deeply Tuli Tuipulotu’s roots push into the island nation’s sandy soil, the heart of the Chargers’ young edge rusher belonging to a place that never has known his footprints.
His father, Niuila — just like his mother, Tania — speaks almost exclusively Tongan, at least, that is, when he speaks at all. “My pop’s,” Tuipulotu said, “a pretty humble dude.”
Chargers-Chiefs matchups: How to watch, start time and prediction
Breaking down how the Chargers (5-11) and Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) match up heading into their game Sunday. The game wll be televised by CBS:
When Chargers have the ball
Backup quarterback Easton Stick continues to play for his future as the Chargers prepare for an offseason of potentially significant roster change. Over his three starts in relief of injured Justin Herbert, Stick has guided the offense to only four touchdowns in 37 possessions.