The Kansas City Chiefs struggle to a 26-10 win over a defensively stout Los Angeles Rams and remain lonely at the top of the AFC.

Munich – The Kansas City Chiefs remain at the top of the AFC. Against the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, Patrick Mahomes and Co. prevailed with 26:10. The Chiefs’ quarterback already had 210 yards through the air at halftime and ended up with 320 yards and a touchdown.

The Rams were without their injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, leaving a void that backup Bryce Perkins could not fill. The quarterback showed glimmers of hope in between, but also made two costly interceptions towards the end. 79 yards and one touchdown were not enough in the end.

Kansas City with touchdown problems

The Chiefs’ offense got off to a sputtering start, with Mahomes forced back to the sideline after just five plays. Only Perkins was off the field even quicker. He got another chance thanks to Skyy Moore’s fumble on the punt return, but went down again with a three-and-out.

Then Mahomes found his MVP form. 90 yards in nine plays and at the end Travis Kelce was in the end zone for a touchdown. Los Angeles struggled in return for their first scoring drive, kicker Matt Gay going 47 yards to cut it to 3-6.

Offensively, it was the only bright spot in a low-scoring first half for the injury-plagued Rams. But the Chiefs also failed to find the end zone before the break. But kicker Harrison Butker booted field goals of 27 and 32 yards to make it 13-3 at half-time. Andy Reid was probably not very enthusiastic about his team’s performance and reportedly called for “more touchdowns” during the break.

Chiefs defence puts the lid on

The Chiefs’ head coach got the next one through running back Isiah Pacheco. A hint of a preliminary decision was in the air. But not with Bryce Perkins. The nominal third quarterback of the Rams found his rhythm more and more, led his team over 75 yards to the end zone and was able to celebrate his first NFL touchdown with the successful pass to Van Jefferson.

In the fourth quarter, the Rams defence flexed its muscles again. First they stopped the Chiefs shortly before their own end zone, then Nick Scott also cashed in on Mahomes’ interception.

In return, however, Perkins also threw the ball into the hands of the opponent. Kansas then had to settle for the field goal again. But another interception by the Chiefs defence put the lid on the game.

With a record of 9-2, the Chiefs remain the best team in the AFC. The Rams, on the other hand, are a distant 3-8 in the NFC West and out of playoff range.

Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals

Wild finish in Arizona. The Los Angeles Chargers are keeping themselves in the playoff race with grit. Thanks to a last-minute touchdown by Austin Ekeler and a two-point conversion by Gerald Everett, the Californians won 25-24 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. His second of the night moved him into second place among quarterbacks with the most touchdowns in their first three seasons. Kyler Murray rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals, but also threw an interception.

With the win, the Chargers stay on the heels of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West and push their record up to 6-5. Arizona is in danger of missing the playoffs this season at 4-8.

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Shutout in the Bay Area. The San Francisco 49ers allowed no points to the New Orleans Saints in a defensive battle, winning 13-0. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 222 yards through the air and found Jauan Jennnings in the end zone for the only touchdown of the night. Kicker Robbie Gould provided the other points.

The Saints didn’t have a chance to cut the deficit until the fourth quarter, but kicker Will Lutz missed his only attempt to the left. Quarterback Andy Dalton did not manage to lead his team to points despite 204 yards.

The 49ers now sit atop the NFC West with their sights set on the playoffs, while New Orleans slips to 4-8 but still has a shot at winning the division in the NFC South.

Las Vegas Raiders at Seattle Seahawks

Las Vegas Raiders win a wild overtime ride in Seattle. They prevailed 40:34 after OT at the Seahawks. Josh Jacobs provided the cheering victory with a monster run of 86 yards. The German Jakob Johnson set the decisive block.

Derek Carr put up 295 yards through the air, threw three touchdowns and two interceptions. But Johnson was outstanding with 229 rushing yards and a total of two touchdowns. The Seahawks’ running game was not very present, but Geno Smith put up 328 yards and two touchdowns.

With the loss, the Seahawks slip to a 6-5 record and must battle the San Francisco 49ers for the division win in the NFC West. Las Vegas celebrated their fourth win of the season but are unlikely to make the playoffs in the AFC.