Kenneth Walker III ran for two first-half touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs never let the Los Angeles Chargers inside their end zone, winning 22-6 at Arrowhead on Sunday, October 18, to stay unbeaten at 5-0.
The game turned in the final two minutes before halftime. Walker’s second score and a Harrison Butker field goal on the last snap of the half stretched a 9-3 edge to 19-3, and the Chargers, already without a win this season, had no answer for the rest of the afternoon. Los Angeles drops to 0-6 heading into its bye.
How the scoring unfolded
- First quarter: Butker opened with a 44-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Walker then broke loose for a 33-yard touchdown run; Butker missed the extra point, leaving it 9-0. Cameron Dicker answered with a 23-yard field goal late in the period, 9-3.
- Second quarter: Walker plunged in from 2 yards with 1:49 left and Butker converted, 16-3. Butker added a 50-yarder with two seconds on the clock, 19-3.
- Third quarter: Dicker hit from 30 yards early in the half, 19-6.
- Fourth quarter: Butker closed the scoring with a 30-yard kick with 3:52 remaining, 22-6.
Walker carried 19 times for 128 yards, and his 33-yard dash in the first quarter set the tone for the day.
K9 WITH THE 33-YARD BREAKAWAY TD 🐶 pic.twitter.com/t0NMQe6CYM
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 18, 2026
Turning points
Both sides gave the ball away twice, but Kansas City made more of its chances. Linebacker Jack Cochrane intercepted Justin Herbert in the second quarter, and the Chiefs later scooped up a Chargers fumble to choke off a second-half drive. Los Angeles did have its moments on defense: cornerback Cam Hart picked off Patrick Mahomes on a throw into the end zone, and the Chargers kept the Chiefs to one touchdown in four red-zone trips.
JACK COCHRANE!! THAT ONE'S OURS!! pic.twitter.com/UNxH8D1IVZ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 18, 2026
Those stops only delayed the outcome, because the Chargers’ offense never threatened. Los Angeles went 0 for 3 in the red zone, converted 5 of 16 third downs and finished with 259 total yards to Kansas City’s 422. Herbert completed 22 of 37 passes for 204 yards with an interception and was the club’s leading rusher with 26 yards on five scrambles. His best moment was a 57-yard completion to Quentin Johnston, a rare downfield strike. Kansas City’s front kept him moving all day; safety Chamarri Conner, George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte, with his first sack of the season, all brought him down.
Mahomes spreads it around
Mahomes went 23 of 30 for 272 yards without a touchdown pass, leaning on Xavier Worthy, who caught all seven of his targets for 73 yards. Travis Kelce turned his right ankle early, had it taped twice on the sideline and still finished with four catches for 53 yards. Noah Gray added three receptions for 53 yards. Kansas City did it without receiver Rashee Rice, and lost right tackle Jaylon Moore to a concussion late in the second quarter. Andy Reid confirmed the concussion after the game. Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace was sent off late in the game after swinging at an opponent.
For the Chargers, receiver Ladd McConkey and defensive back Deane Leonard both left with concussions. Jim Harbaugh would not commit to Mike McDaniel keeping the play sheet, saying the staff is “going to look at everything” and that the problem “starts with me.”
What comes next
The Chiefs visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 25, at 8:20 p.m. EDT. The Chargers are off in Week 7, then visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, November 1, at 4:05 p.m. EST, still looking for their first win. Every number from Sunday’s game is in the Game Center.
No published comments yet. Start the conversation.