Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2019 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-12-29, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 31–21 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +9.29 total EPA, and +4.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Allen (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+22.8% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: 1-T.Long kicks 69 yards from LAC 35 to KC -4. 17-M.Hardman for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +10.03 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +9.29 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
3. 3 Dam. Williams · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +9.28 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Gordon · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
5. 5 H. Henry · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.33 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Hardman · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.98 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Robinson · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.31 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +1.45 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.16 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

• Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 41:49)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Robinson (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 32:23)
• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Gordon (Q3 28:19)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Hardman (Q3 28:14)
• Kansas City Chiefs — unlisted player (Q3 21:41)
• Los Angeles Chargers — H. Henry (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 5:28)
• Kansas City Chiefs — unlisted player (Q4 2:42)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 46:33)

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 3–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the LAC 22 (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) 7-H.Butker 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 12 (Q2 41:49) — (11:49) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 13-K.Allen for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-22-J.Thornhill was injured during the play.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 41:44) — 4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 24 (Q2 32:23) — (2:23) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 11-D.Robinson for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q2 32:16) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 14–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 5 (Q3 28:19) — (13:19) (Shotgun) 25-M.Gordon left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q3 28:14) — 4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 35 (Q3 28:14) — 1-T.Long kicks 69 yards from LAC 35 to KC -4. 17-M.Hardman for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 27:58) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 84 (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 26-Dam.Williams left end for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 21:26) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 8 (Q4 5:28) — (5:28) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 86-H.Henry for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 5:23) — 4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 7 (Q4 2:42) — (2:42) 26-Dam.Williams right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 2:37) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 28:14) — 1-T.Long kicks 69 yards from LAC 35 to KC -4. 17-M.Hardman for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.8% · EPA +5.47]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 30:35) — (:35) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right intended for 81-M.Williams INTERCEPTED by 32-T.Mathieu at KC -2. Touchback (81-M.Williams). [WPA -18.5% · EPA -3.61]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 29:55) — (14:55) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 10-T.Hill INTERCEPTED by 43-M.Davis at KC 36. 43-M.Davis to KC 21 for 15 yards (71-M.Schwartz). [WPA -16.8% · EPA -5.40]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 26-Dam.Williams left end for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +6.25]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 33:07) — (3:07) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 17-M.Hardman to LAC 24 for 30 yards (23-R.Jenkins). [WPA +13.1% · EPA +2.98]

Impact plays

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 26-Dam.Williams left end for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +6.25]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 28:14) — 1-T.Long kicks 69 yards from LAC 35 to KC -4. 17-M.Hardman for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.8% · EPA +5.47]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 29:55) — (14:55) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 10-T.Hill INTERCEPTED by 43-M.Davis at KC 36. 43-M.Davis to KC 21 for 15 yards (71-M.Schwartz). [WPA -16.8% · EPA -5.40]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 15:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 25-M.Gordon up the middle to KC 5 for no gain (95-C.Jones; 64-M.Pennel). [WPA -9.4% · EPA -3.77]

Quarterback report card

P.Rivers led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 53 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +4.4% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +9.29 total EPA
• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 30 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · -5.2% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 10 drives, +15.88 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Chargers: 9 drives, +5.33 total EPA, 3 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.
• K. Allen (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• P. Mahomes (KC) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 46:33 · LAC 22 · Score 0-3
   (1:33) 7-H.Butker 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
2. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 41:49 · KC 12 · Score 6-3
   (11:49) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 13-K.Allen for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-22-J.Thornhill was injured during the play.
3. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 41:44 · KC 15 · Score 7-3
   4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.
4. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 32:23 · LAC 24 · Score 7-9
   (2:23) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 11-D.Robinson for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 32:16 · LAC 15 · Score 7-10
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
6. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 28:19 · KC 5 · Score 13-10
   (13:19) (Shotgun) 25-M.Gordon left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 28:14 · KC 15 · Score 14-10
   4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.
8. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 28:14 · LAC 35 · Score 14-16
   1-T.Long kicks 69 yards from LAC 35 to KC -4. 17-M.Hardman for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 27:58 · LAC 15 · Score 14-17
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 21:41 · LAC 84 · Score 14-23
    (6:41) (Shotgun) 26-Dam.Williams left end for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 21:26 · LAC 15 · Score 14-24
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
12. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 5:28 · KC 8 · Score 20-24
    (5:28) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 86-H.Henry for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 5:23 · KC 15 · Score 21-24
    4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.
14. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 2:42 · LAC 7 · Score 21-30
    (2:42) 26-Dam.Williams right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 2:37 · LAC 15 · Score 21-31
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.