Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 2021 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-12-16, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 34–28 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +13.64 total EPA, and -1.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.50 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-22.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (11:02) 27-J.Kelley up the middle to KC 1 for no gain (56-B.Niemann, 98-T.Wharton). FUMBLES (98-T.Wharton), RECOVERED by KC-56-B.Niemann at KC 2.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +15.50 total EPA · 13 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +13.64 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Hill · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +11.96 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +2.48 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +2.20 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Anderson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.99 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Burton · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +1.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Palmer · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Burton (Q1 52:38)
• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Herbert (Q2 39:18)
• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Guyton (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 33:21)
• Los Angeles Chargers — A. Ekeler (Q4 9:34)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 7:49)
• Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q4 2:24)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 1:22)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass) (OT 8:54)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q2 44:51)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q3 27:16)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 7 (Q1 52:38) — (7:38) 45-M.Burton up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q1 52:34) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the LAC 11 (Q2 44:51) — (14:51) 7-H.Butker 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q2 39:18) — (9:18) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert scrambles left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 39:12) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q2 33:21) — (3:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 15-J.Guyton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 33:15) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 3–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the LAC 14 (Q3 27:16) — (12:16) 7-H.Butker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 15–14. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 2 (Q4 9:34) — (9:34) 30-A.Ekeler left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 9:29) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q4 7:49) — (7:49) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs registered a safety from the LAC 2 (Q4 7:44); Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 8 (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 2:19) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 7 (Q4 1:22) — (1:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 87-T.Kelce for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [44-K.White].; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 1:16) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

Overtime: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 6–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 34 (OT 8:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 87-T.Kelce for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 11:02) — (11:02) 27-J.Kelley up the middle to KC 1 for no gain (56-B.Niemann, 98-T.Wharton). FUMBLES (98-T.Wharton), RECOVERED by KC-56-B.Niemann at KC 2. [WPA -22.8% · EPA -5.81]
• Kansas City Chiefs (OT 9:56) — (9:56) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 87-T.Kelce to LAC 48 for 27 yards (49-D.Tranquill). [WPA +20.5% · EPA +2.11]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 9:39) — (9:39) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 25-C.Edwards-Helaire INTERCEPTED by 42-U.Nwosu at KC 4. 42-U.Nwosu to KC 2 for 2 yards (15-P.Mahomes). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -5.97]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 8:55) — (8:55) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce to LAC 1 for 69 yards (36-T.Marshall; 24-N.Adderley). Penalty on LAC-36-T.Marshall, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +18.7% · EPA +5.78]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 21:24) — (6:24) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 10-T.Hill to LAC 22 for 40 yards (20-T.Campbell). Penalty on LAC-20-T.Campbell, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +17.9% · EPA +3.99]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 9:39) — (9:39) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 25-C.Edwards-Helaire INTERCEPTED by 42-U.Nwosu at KC 4. 42-U.Nwosu to KC 2 for 2 yards (15-P.Mahomes). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -5.97]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 11:02) — (11:02) 27-J.Kelley up the middle to KC 1 for no gain (56-B.Niemann, 98-T.Wharton). FUMBLES (98-T.Wharton), RECOVERED by KC-56-B.Niemann at KC 2. [WPA -22.8% · EPA -5.81]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 8:55) — (8:55) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce to LAC 1 for 69 yards (36-T.Marshall; 24-N.Adderley). Penalty on LAC-36-T.Marshall, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +18.7% · EPA +5.78]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 50:22) — (5:22) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle intended for 13-K.Allen INTERCEPTED by 53-A.Hitchens (54-N.Bolton) at KC 43. 53-A.Hitchens to KC 43 for no gain (22-J.Jackson). [WPA -12.4% · EPA -5.50]

Quarterback report card

P.Mahomes led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 53 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · -1.0% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +13.64 total EPA
• J.Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) · 42 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · -5.8% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.92 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 11 drives, +11.75 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, +3.26 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Herbert (LAC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 52:38 · LAC 7 · Score 6-0
   (7:38) 45-M.Burton up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 52:34 · LAC 15 · Score 7-0
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
3. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 44:51 · LAC 11 · Score 10-0
   (14:51) 7-H.Butker 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
4. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 39:18 · KC 1 · Score 10-6
   (9:18) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert scrambles left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 39:12 · KC 15 · Score 10-7
   6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
6. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 33:21 · KC 4 · Score 10-13
   (3:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 15-J.Guyton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 33:15 · KC 15 · Score 10-14
   6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
8. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 27:16 · LAC 14 · Score 13-14
   (12:16) 7-H.Butker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
9. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 9:34 · KC 2 · Score 13-20
   (9:34) 30-A.Ekeler left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 9:29 · KC 15 · Score 13-21
    6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
11. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 7:49 · LAC 1 · Score 19-21
    (7:49) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Kansas City Chiefs Safety (+2) — Q4 7:44 · LAC 2 · Score 21-21
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 15-P.Mahomes pass to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on LAC-97-J.Bosa, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards,
13. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 2:24 · KC 8 · Score 21-27
    (2:24) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 2:19 · KC 15 · Score 21-28
    6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 1:22 · LAC 7 · Score 27-28
    (1:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 87-T.Kelce for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [44-K.White].
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 1:16 · LAC 15 · Score 28-28
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
17. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — OT 8:54 · LAC 34 · Score 34-28
    (8:54) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 87-T.Kelce for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.