When Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett intercepted an Alex Smith pass inside Chiefs territory early in the fourth quarter, it was hard to see a way that the game ended with anything but a San Diego win.
It was 27-10 Chargers and they didn’t need to do much to extend that lead after Verrett’s pick, but that takeaway would prove to be the last good moment of the game for Mike McCoy’s team. Josh Lambo missed a 54-yard field goal after the offense failed to move the ball and the Chiefs would score 23 straight points for a 33-27 overtime win in front of a frenzied Arrowhead Stadium crowd.
“It’s unacceptable,” Chargers tackle Joe Barksdale said, via the San Diego Union-Tribune. “We’ve got to close it. They know it. We were beating their [rear ends]. That’s why I’m so [angry].”
Defensive end Corey Liuget and left tackle King Dunlap were among the Chargers who were unable to come up with answers for a collapse that affected all three phases of the game. Coach Mike McCoy didn’t offer any answers either, saying he needs to watch the film of the game in a response that’s not likely to be well-received in San Diego given the timid similarities to previous losses under McCoy’s watch.
Quarterback Philip Rivers correctly pointed out that there are 15 more games to play this season after the collapse was complete. Rivers said it was “good news,” although some Chargers fans might feel it’s also a threat.