SAN DIEGO -- A few thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-20 win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium:
What it means: The Chiefs claimed a road victory over a division rival at a most opportune time. They evened their record at 3-3, and with home games against the St. Louis Rams and New York Jets upcoming, they’re looking at possibly being 5-3 at the season’s midpoint. After losing at home in the opener to the Tennessee Titans, enduring a heavy dose of injuries and playing one of the league’s most difficult schedules, the Chiefs would gladly take 5-3 halfway through.
Stock watch: Wide receiver Junior Hemingway cost the Chiefs a big play late in the first half when he dropped a pass over the middle with plenty of room to run. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe cost the Chiefs a first down on a second-half drive when he dropped a pass when he was beyond the first-down marker. Bowe came alive to make some big catches late in the game.
Charles gets record: On his 16-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, Jamaal Charles broke the Chiefs’ record for all-time rushing yards. The record had been held by Priest Holmes, who had 6,070 yards rushing in his Chiefs career.
Game ball: Rookie kicker Cairo Santos made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder with 21 seconds remaining that provided the winning points. The Chiefs kept Santos, an undrafted rookie from Tulane, in a controversial choice instead of veteran Ryan Succop. Santos earlier hit kicks from 28 and 40 yards.
What's next: The Chiefs begin a stretch of two games at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday when they play against the St. Louis Rams.
