After a 9-0 start, the Kansas City Chiefs have dropped two in a row.
Philip Rivers led the Chargers to a high-scoring, 41-38 victory over Kansas City. It was all offense; both teams scored five touchdowns, but San Diego got that one extra field goal that made the difference.
The Chiefs' 38 points is their new season high, but they still fell short.
"It wasn't enough," said quarterback Alex Smith. "We didn't do enough as a team to get it done, so it stings. It's all for naught."
Smith and the Chiefs were missing the team's two best pass rushers—Justin Houston and Tamba Hali—in the second half. The Kansas City Star reports that the two backers might also miss Sunday's rematch with the Broncos.
Kansas City (9-2) has fallen into a tie atop the AFC West with Denver.
"When we score that many points, there should be no game we lose, that's how we feel on defense," cornerback Brandon Flowers said. "Our offense played great today, and the defense needed to come through and win it today. We had it in our grasp in the last drive, and we've got to make sure we come away with a win."
Rivers threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns for San Diego (5-6). Jamaal Charles of the Chiefs had 14 carries for 115 yards and two scores.