The Kansas City Chiefs closed out their regular season with a dramatic 13-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, securing a playoff berth despite a bumpy stretch in the second half of the season.

In a game where Chiefs coach Andy Reid opted to rest key players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, Kansas City relied on its depth and a late-game field goal to clinch the win.

After starting the season with a red-hot 6-1 record, the Chiefs struggled through a challenging period, losing five of their next eight games.

Sunday’s matchup, the final game of the regular season, proved to be a tight contest from start to finish.

The Chargers took their first lead of the game late in the fourth quarter when kicker Cameron Dicker converted a 20-yard field goal, putting Los Angeles ahead 12-10 with just over four minutes remaining. However, Kansas City’s Harrison Butker responded with a clutch 41-yard field goal to reclaim the lead for the Chiefs, sealing a 13-12 victory.

The Chiefs’ defense played a pivotal role throughout the game, with Chris Jones delivering a standout performance. Jones earned a $1.25 million bonus after securing a critical tackle on Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick. His play was instrumental in keeping Kansas City within striking distance.

Despite not taking the field, Mahomes and Kelce were active participants in the celebrations, joining in as the Chiefs savored their hard-fought victory. Kansas City improved to 11-6 on the season, solidifying their spot in the postseason.

The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find the end zone. Butker’s game-winning field goal came after a steady drive, allowing the Chiefs to hold off a late Chargers rally.

The Chiefs will now turn their attention to the playoffs, where Mahomes, Kelce, and the rest of the rested starters will look to lead the team on another deep postseason run. With Sunday’s win, Kansas City demonstrated their resilience and depth, giving fans reason to believe they can be contenders once again in the quest for a Super Bowl title.