November 24, 2013: Philip Rivers finds Seyi Ajirotutu in the final minute and the Chargers beat the Chiefs 41-38 at Arrowhead

On November 24, 2013, the 9-1 Chiefs were favored by 3½ points at home against the 4-6 Chargers. The teams combined for 79 points. Philip Rivers threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Seyi Ajirotutu with 31 seconds left, and San Diego won 41-38, handing Kansas City its second straight loss after a 9-0 start.

It was 24 degrees at kickoff. Nick Novak kicked a field goal for San Diego, then Alex Smith threw 32 yards to Donnie Avery and Jamaal Charles ran 7 yards for a 14-3 Kansas City lead. Rivers answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead with 22 seconds left, and the Chiefs led 14-10 at halftime.

Rivers hit Eddie Royal for 54 yards, and Ryan Mathews scored to put the Chargers up 17-14. Three pass interference penalties gave the Chiefs 42 free yards before Charles scored. After a Marcus Gilchrist interception, Woodhead scored for a 24-21 lead, and Smith’s pass to Anthony Fasano made it 28-24.

Novak and Ryan Succop traded field goals, and Kansas City led 31-27 with 9:35 left. On third-and-2, Rivers threw a short pass over the middle to tight end Ladarius Green, who gained 54 yards after the catch and scored on a 60-yard touchdown. San Diego led 34-31 with 8:00 to play.

Smith found Dwayne Bowe for a 5-yard touchdown, and Kansas City led 38-34 with 1:28 left. Rivers hit Antonio Gates on third-and-10, a pass interference call moved the ball to the 21, and he threw a 26-yard touchdown to Ajirotutu on second-and-15. The Chiefs’ last play ended with a lateral, a loose ball and an Eric Weddle recovery.

Rivers completed 27 of 39 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Charles ran for 115 yards and two scores. The Chargers finished 9-7, beat Kansas City again on December 29 and won at Cincinnati in the wild-card round. The Chiefs lost 45-44 at Indianapolis after leading by 28 points.