It may not be pretty, but we have a compelling Monday Night Football game.
The Chiefs lead 13-3 at halftime after 30 minutes of missed opportunities and mistakes by the Chargers.
It looked like the score was tied at ten late in the first half, but a questionable Antonio Gates offensive pass interference penalty wiped out a score. The Chargers then went backwards because of a sack and penalties, and wound up missing a field goal.
The Chargers turned the ball over three times -- on two Philip Rivers picks and a Ryan Mathews fumble. (Which was probably not a fumble, but the officials didn’t overturn the play on review.) The Chiefs offense was inconsistent, but Matt Cassel mostly played well and hit on a 39-yard touchdown to rookie Jonathan Baldwin.
The next 30 minutes are going to be huge for the shape of the AFC West race this year. If the Chiefs hold on, Kansas City is suddenly in very good shape in a three-team division race.