Game story
In Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-09-26, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 30–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +5.93 total EPA, and +1.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.52 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-18.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (2:58) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill to LAC 14 for 8 yards (20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 14. 43-M.Davis to LAC 34 for 20 yards (6
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 14 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Herbert · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +19.52 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 2 M. Williams · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +12.11 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
- 3 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +6.12 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 4 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +5.93 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 5 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.93 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 6 M. Hardman · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 7 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 8 J. Fortson · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Herbert — LAC · Passing
J. Herbert posted the highest total EPA (+19.52) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 46 counted snaps, they averaged +0.42 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.71 EPA) came from Kansas City Chiefs: (2:58) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill to LAC 14 for 8 yards (20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 14. 43-M.Davis to LAC 34 for 20 yards (65-T.Smith). PENALTY
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 (J. Herbert pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Ekeler (J. Herbert pass)
- Kansas City Chiefs — J. Fortson (P. Mahomes pass)
- Kansas City Chiefs — C. Edwards-Helaire (P. Mahomes pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass)
- Kansas City Chiefs — M. Hardman (P. Mahomes pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass)
Field goals
- Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker
- Los Angeles Chargers — T. Vizcaino
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–3. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q2 44:01) — (14:01) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 13-K.Allen for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 16 (Q2 37:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 30-A.Ekeler for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers registered a safety from the KC 2 (Q2 37:36) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-J.Herbert pass to 81-M.Williams is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the LAC 16 (Q2 30:23) — (:23) 7-H.Butker 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..
The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 14–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 2 (Q3 24:18) — (9:18) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 88-J.Fortson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 24:15) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 10 (Q3 18:41) — (3:41) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 18:35) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 16–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 20 (Q4 13:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-C.Jones].; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 13:39) — 16-T.Vizcaino extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 8 (Q4 6:48) — (6:48) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 17-M.Hardman for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 6:43) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the KC 6 (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 16-T.Vizcaino 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q4 0:36) — (:36) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 81-M.Williams for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 47:58) — (2:58) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill to LAC 14 for 8 yards (20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 14. 43-M.Davis to LAC 34 for 20 yards (6
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) 25-C.Edwards-Helaire up the middle to LAC 29 for 7 yards (24-N.Adderley, 20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 33. 43-M.Davis to LAC 47 for 14 yards (17-M
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:48) — (:48) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass incomplete short right to 15-J.Guyton. PENALTY on KC-30-D.Baker, Defensive Pass Interference, 15 yards, enforced at KC 35 - No Play.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right intended for 87-T.Kelce INTERCEPTED by 32-A.Gilman at LAC 41. 32-A.Gilman to LAC 41 for no gain.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 13:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-C.Jones].
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 47:58) — (2:58) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill to LAC 14 for 8 yards (20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 14. 43-M.Davis to LAC 34 for 20 yards (6
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) 25-C.Edwards-Helaire up the middle to LAC 29 for 7 yards (24-N.Adderley, 20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 33. 43-M.Davis to LAC 47 for 14 yards (17-M
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 53:27) — (8:27) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep middle intended for 85-M.Kemp INTERCEPTED by 26-A.Samuel at LAC 3. 26-A.Samuel to LAC 3 for no gain.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 13:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-C.Jones].
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 · 50.9% completion · +1.2% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.93 total EPA
- J.Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) · 46 dropbacks · 56.5% completion · +8.0% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +19.52 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.164 | +0.058 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.0% | 53.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.424 | +0.112 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.098 | -0.046 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.058 | -0.164 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.2% | 53.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Kansas City Chiefs: 10 drives, +5.24 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +13.65 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Chargers 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.
- J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Herbert (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 44:01 · KC 4 · Score 6-0
(14:01) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 13-K.Allen for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 37:43 · KC 16 · Score 12-0
(7:43) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 30-A.Ekeler for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers Safety (+2) — Q2 37:36 · KC 2 · Score 14-0
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-J.Herbert pass to 81-M.Williams is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 30:23 · LAC 16 · Score 14-3
(:23) 7-H.Butker 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 24:18 · LAC 2 · Score 14-9
(9:18) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 88-J.Fortson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 24:15 · LAC 15 · Score 14-10
7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 18:41 · LAC 10 · Score 14-16
(3:41) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 18:35 · LAC 15 · Score 14-17
7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 13:44 · KC 20 · Score 20-17
(13:44) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-C.Jones]. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 13:39 · KC 15 · Score 21-17
16-T.Vizcaino extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 6:48 · LAC 8 · Score 21-23
(6:48) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 17-M.Hardman for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 6:43 · LAC 15 · Score 21-24
7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 2:17 · KC 6 · Score 24-24
(2:17) 16-T.Vizcaino 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 0:36 · KC 4 · Score 30-24
(:36) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 81-M.Williams for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 30-24 in Week 3, 2021 on 2021-09-26.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 30, Kansas City Chiefs 24 (LAC 30-24 KC) in Week 3, 2021 on 2021-09-26.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 14, Kansas City Chiefs 3; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Kansas City Chiefs 14; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 16, Kansas City Chiefs 7; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 30, Kansas City Chiefs 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 44:01) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Ekeler (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 37:43) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — J. Fortson (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 24:18) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — C. Edwards-Helaire (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 18:41) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass) (Q4 13:44) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — M. Hardman (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 6:48) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass) (Q4 0:36) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — H. Butker (Q2 30:23, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — T. Vizcaino (Q4 2:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), 50.9% completion, +1.2% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +5.93 total passing EPA. J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), 56.5% completion, +8.0% CPOE, +0.42 EPA per dropback, +19.52 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +19.52 on passing plays. across 46 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.71 EPA): (2:58) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 10-T.Hill to LAC 14 for 8 yards (20-T.Campbell). FUMBLES (20-T.Campbell), RECOVERED by LAC-43-M.Davis at LAC 14. 43-M.Davis to LA. The biggest win-probability swing was -18.9%.
Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Los Angeles Chargers won 30-24 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
Kansas City Chiefs
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
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