Yahoo Sports Staff Updated Sun, October 18, 2026 at 9:38 PM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this story What appeared to be a key AFC West matchup before the 2026 NFL season began still has some urgency in Week 6, but for different reasons than were likely imagined.
The Los Angeles Chargers are already at the point of trying to salvage their season after an 0-5 start. No team has ever made the playoffs after losing their first five games . But the 1992 Chargers did make the playoffs following a 0-4 start, finishing with an 11-5 record .
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh admitted after Week 5's defeat to the Denver Broncos that he didn't know what message he could give his team to recover from its poor start. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's job is in jeopardy with a unit ranked 25th in the NFL in total offense (29th in passing). Quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the league's lowest-ranked passers, with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
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No such problems exist with the Kansas City Chiefs, 4-0 and coming off a bye week. Kenneth Walker III is the league's second-leading rusher, lessening the burden on Patrick Mahomes while returning from a torn ACL . On defense, the Chiefs have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL and rank 10th in passing yards allowed.
A win over the Chargers could create a considerable lead in the AFC West and keep Kansas City ahead of the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars in the conference.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Chiefs host the Chargers in their first meeting of the season, airing on CBS .
It looked like Kenneth Walker III was stuffed at the goal line.
Then, he bounced the ball to the outside, and Patrick Mahomes laid a block that allowed the running back to get around the edge to leap into the end zone for the score.
The end zone interception seems to have lit a fire under Patrick Mahomes, which could be bad news for the Chargers' defense.
Kansas City's drive started at the 20-yard line, and 6 plays later, Mahomes has the Chiefs on the 8-yard line with a fresh set of downs.
The Chargers' offense continues to struggle.
After the defense picked off Patrick Mahomes in the end zone, Los Angeles ran six plays and got one first down. The Chargers then punted.
Kansas City takes over, still leading 9-3 with 5:29 left in the first half.
After Justin Herbert was picked off, the Chargers defense got it right back for their offense.
Patrick Mahomes was trying to hit someone in the back corner of the end zone, but it was snatched out of the air by Cam Hart.
Justin Herbert was picked off by the Kansas City defense.
The flag on the play was offensive and was declined. Herbert had an earlier interception called back for roughing the passer, but this one stood.
Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a concussion.
McConkey missed the Chargers' game last week. He finished this game with one reception for 17 yards.
Kansas City had the ball when the second quarter began, but weren't able to pick up a first down.
The Chiefs are driving as the second quarter gets underway. Kansas City holds a 9-0 lead after a huge touchdown by Kenneth Walker III, but a missed extra point by Harrison Butker.
The Chargers were able to use the late hit penalty on the Chiefs to get into field goal range, but that is where the drive stopped.
Cameron Dicker drilled the 23-yard field goal to tie the game at 3 toward the end of the first quarter.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took off to pick up the first down on the ground. He was successful, but as he slid to the ground a Chiefs defender tried to hop him, but ended up kneeing him in the helmet and it drew a flag.
Kenneth Walker III is looking like the clear favorite for best offseason addition.
Coming off the bye week, KW3 is staying hot and took off for a 33-yard touchdown run to give the Chiefs an early 9-0 lead. Harrison Butker missed the extra point.
Kansas City got the ball first and drove down the field. The L.A. defense stepped up, though, and kept the Chiefs out of the end zone.
Harrison Butker kicked a 44-yard field goal for the first points of the game.
With less than 90 minutes remaining until the Chargers and Chiefs kick off, each team has announced its inactives for Week 6.
It's always notable where respected bettors have landed on this week's games. While these prices may not currently be available at all sportsbooks, knowing where sharps have wagered can also be instructive for in-game wagering.
Yahoo Sports conversed with several bookmakers over the course of this week, and here is where some sharp action has been (and the numbers it came in at):
Chargers +7.5, Chiefs-Chargers under 42.5
Source: Sports
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