Chargers end season (and more?) with loss; fire McCoy

San Diego Union-Tribune

Jan. 1, 2017 1:34 PM PT

We now know this was definitely the last game for Mike McCoy; he was fired after Sunday’s season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

And, if this indeed was the final Chargers game in San Diego, it ended like so many in recent years: with the home team losing.

In falling 37-27 to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers finished the 2016 season with their fifth straight defeat.

San Diego ended the season 5-11, only one win better than last year’s 4-12 mark. The consecutive seasons dropped McCoy’s career record to 27-37, plus a 1-1 mark in the postseason.

Also in peril is the future of the Chargers in San Diego. Chairman Dean Spanos has until Jan. 15 to exercise an option to move the franchise to Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Kansas City (12-4) wrapped up the AFC West with the victory, combined with Oakland’s loss to Denver. The Chiefs will get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The largest bright spot for the Chargers was tight end Antonio Gates catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter. It was career TD No. 111 for Gates, tying him with Tony Gonzalez for the all-time lead among tight ends.

There also was the first career touchdown by safety Jahleel Addae, who made his first career interception and returned it 90 yards. That cut Kansas City’s lead to 20-17 in the third quarter, but the Chiefs scored the next 14 points and cruised from there.

A quarter-by-quarter recap is below:

First quarter

Chargers 3, Chiefs 3

Key plays: The Chargers took the opening kickoff and drove for their 10th opening-drive points of the season. Philip Rivers completed passes of 21 yards to Ronnie Hillman and 8 and 11 yards to Hunter Henry to get the Chargers into position for a 35-yard field goal by Josh Lambo. Kansas City came back with its own field goal from the same distance by Cairo Santos, thanks to third-down passes by Alex Smith of 28 yards to Charcandrick West and 23 yards to Jeremy Maclin. Joey Bosa prevented further damage with two tackles for loss after KC had first-and-goal. The Chargers reached the 5 at quarter’s end with several key plays, including a 5-yard run by Andre Williams on fourth-and-1 at the KC 22.

Key stat: The Chargers outgained the Chiefs 126-53 in the quarter and had the ball for 10 minutes, 4 seconds.

Not in the box score: The two carries by Andre Williams were his first as a Charger.

Second quarter

Chiefs 20, Chargers 10

Key plays: Completing a drive that began in the first quarter, the Chargers scored on a 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates. Kansas City wasted no time tying the game, going 75 yards in just four plays, including a 42-yard pass from Alex Smith to Albert Wilson. Smith scored the TD on a 5-yard run. The Chargers made the first big error of the game, as Rivers threw behind Dontrelle Inman and Marcus Peters intercepted. Starting at the Chargers 34, the Chiefs moved into position for a 4-yard TD pass from Smith to Charcandrick West, helped by a third-down holding call against Chargers DB Trevor Williams. The Chargers reached the red zone but Rivers was intercepted in the end zone by Chiefs DB Daniel Sorensen, although replay should have overturned the call. Kansas City turned that into a 25-yard field goal by Cairo Santos on the final play of the half.

Key stat: It was career TD No. 111 for Gates, tying him with Tony Gonzalez for the all-time record by a tight end.

Not in the box score: The interceptions thrown by Rivers gave him 21 this season, a career high for the QB.

Third quarter

Chiefs 34, Chargers 17

Key plays: Kansas City took the kickoff and drove to the Chargers 11, but on second down, Alex Smith had his pass tipped by Melvin Ingram and intercepted by Jahleel Addae, who returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. Of course, the Chargers special teams being what they are, Josh Lambo immediately booted the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. Kansas City promptly drove for another TD thanks to passes of 20 and 15 yards by Smith to Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley, and a key third-down defensive holding penalty against Robert McClain. The TD came on another third down, a 2-yard pass from Smith to Charcandrick West. The Chargers then punted — the first of the game by either team — and Tyreek Hill returned it 95 yards for a TD.

Key stat: The interception and the touchdown were the first of Addae’s career.

Not in the box score: The Chargers began the half with special teams standout Darrell Stuckey (knee) and linebacker Chris Landrum (concussion).

Fourth quarter

Chiefs 37, Chargers 27

Key plays: Continuing a drive from the third quarter, the Chargers reached the Chiefs 8, but after three failed plays, including a near-record setting TD by Antonio Gates, Mike McCoy called for a field goal. Yes, a field goal. Kansas City then chewed some clock before calling on Cairo Santos for a 37-yard field goal with 4:31 remaining. San Diego drove for a quick touchdown, although much to the crowd’s dismay, Philip Rivers passed to wide-open rookie Hunter Henry for the score.

Key stat: The only punt by the Chiefs came in the final 70 seconds when they were just running down the clock. The Chargers also punted only once.

Chargers