In week 2 of Thursday Night Football (TNF), the Los Angeles Chargers traveled to the “Paris of the Plains” and took on the Kansas City Chiefs. Ultimately the home team said “Nous serons vainqueurs!” (translation form French: “We will be victorious!”). However, the Chief’s road to victory was anything but smooth.
Let’s roll the footage!
Never Fear, Mike Williams is Here
Herbert was able to get on the board early by connecting with fullback Zander Horvath, who ran in a touchdown. Horvath became the first running back or fullback to catch a touchdown in his first two games since 1942. Initially projected to go undrafted out of Purdue, Horvath was drafted by the Chargers in Round 7 (260th overall). Add Horvath to your watch list.
The score was 10-0 as the Chargers defense shut Mahomes down.
Justin Herbert (ADP 34, QB3) has several excellent, potential targets available on the Chargers including Austin Ekeler (ADP 3, RB3 ), Keenan Allen (ADP 32, WR11), and Mike Williams (ADP 43, WR16 ). Unfortunately, Keenan Allen was ruled out of Week 2 with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 1. Although Herbert lost an important target in Allen, Mike Williams filled in the gap and received 57% of the team’s air yards for the game.
Mike Williams led the Chargers receiving corps, accounting for 57% of the team's air yards (4th-highest air yard share in a game in his career).
Williams had a career-high six receptions on hitch routes for 59 yards.#LACvsKC | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/62gGiXjE0p
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 16, 2022
Williams answered Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass to Jerick McKinnon (ADP 248, RB71) with a spectacular one-handed catch to make the game 17-7.
Mike Williams is balling out tonight 🔥 @darealmike_dub #TNFonPrime #LACvsKC on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/Fa02SqPmRn pic.twitter.com/dNRVcKQJ0j— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2022
However, the Chargers did not feel at ease for long as Chief Justin Watson (WR192) went in for a touchdown, making the score 17-14 about halfway through the third quarter.
Wrestlemania XXIX: Here Comes The BOOM!
Before Watson ultimately ran in for a touchdown, Travis Kelce (ADP 16, TE1) attempted to run the ball in for for the Chiefs. Travis Kelce meet to Derwin James. James, a 6’2″ 215 lbs safety, body slammed Kelce into the ground.
what sport is this, dj???? @derwinjames | @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/c3B77306pc
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 16, 2022
Surprisingly, no flags were thrown and the game continued, forcing the Chiefs to settle with a field goal. On the internet, viewers were quick to point out James’s talent for wrestling. Kelce ended the game with 51 receiving yards and no touchdowns.
Derwin James to Travis Kelce😂 #Spinebuster #ChiefsKingdom #Boltup #thursdaynightfootball pic.twitter.com/0BEnPBwtIB
— Wade (@WadeMar_) September 16, 2022
Dream Crusher: Jaylen Watson’s Pick Six
The Chiefs’ long campaign to wear down the Chargers appeared to work in the later half of the game. The score was 17-17 when when rookie and 7th round draft pick Jaylen Watson intercepted Herbert for a pick-6.
Jaylen Watson's pick-6 as called by @mitchholthus on the Chiefs Radio Network.@610SportsKC @wolfkansascity
Video courtesy of @NFL pic.twitter.com/W1MczvfkhA
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) September 16, 2022
The 23-year old rookie Watson was working at a Wendy’s just three years ago. Watson found himself playing in Week 2 as a the backup to Kansas City’s first-round pick, Trent McDuffie, pulled a hamstring in Week 1. Will McDuffie have a spot when he comes back? Probably. However, Jaylen Watson might have a regular spot now too.
Herbert Plays Through Pain
Kelce was not the only player who survived a beat down. Justin Herbert was made into a meat sandwich when he was slammed between two players towards the end of the fourth quarter. Herbert was in visible pain after sustaining a nasty injury to the torso. Initial reports have stated that Herbert’s x-rays are negative. However, rib injuries can be fairly insidious and difficult to heal. If you have Herbert in your league, prepare for to put in a back up for week 3 or perhaps beyond.
Chargers leaving Justin Herbert out here for dead. Seems to me you shut him down than risk making his apparent injury worse. pic.twitter.com/TGUNBwTuYl
— #StopCopCity (@ChuckModi1) September 16, 2022
Eventually, Herbert reentered the game and overthrew the ball as he appeared to try to work through the pain. He flung a dart to Josh Palmer (ADP 185, WR66). Palmer had to reach for the catch but made it for a touchdown.
JUSTIN HERBERT TO JOSHUA PALMER ON 4TH & GOAL FOR A CHARGERS TOUCHDOWN 🙌
LA now trails by 3 late in the 4thpic.twitter.com/PfAo9S8C2K
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 16, 2022
Despite the fantastic effort, the Chargers were not able to pull ahead of the Chiefs. The final score was 27-24.
What Can We Learn from TNF Week 2?
The TNF Week 2 game was a good reminder that the Los Angeles Chargers are no longer the San-Diego-Philip-Rivers Chargers of yesteryear. Expectations for the Chargers were mixed before the game, which accurately reflect the changing landscape of the AFC-West, where the Chiefs are no longer the certain champions.
Herbert and Mahomes had a similar pass completion percentage of around 65%. Herbert threw for 401 yards while Mahomes threw for 319. Although Herbert threw for more yards, his targets were more predictable (i.e. Mike Williams). Mahomes spread most of his yardage between several players. However, Herbert threw for more touchdowns.
This was a game where unheralded rookies owned the spotlight. Horvath and Watson are both making names for themselves in different ways. While Horvath got the Chargers on the board, it was ultimately Watson who shut the Chargers down.
There were may careless mistakes and missed opportunities from the Chargers, but remember: Keenan Allen was not playing. When he is healthy again, the Chiefs might find themselves in a different game.
Did any players on your fantasy football team make a difference (good or bad) for you in Week 2? Tell me in the comments or over on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.
