The Chiefs defense preserved a much-needed 24-17 victory over the AFC West rival Chargers on "Monday Night Football" in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.
In the final game of the 2019 NFL international series, Kansas City (7-4) avoided falling off the top spot in the divisional standings. The Chiefs allowed Los Angeles (4-7) to rack up 312 first-half yards but showed a much stronger effort in the final two quarters, particularly during the game's final drive.
MORE: Why is Chiefs vs. Chargers in Mexico City?
With the Chargers trailing by a touchdown with two minutes to go, Los Angeles reached Kansas City territory via an acrobatic 50-yard grab by Mike Williams. Following Austin Ekeler's 11-yard pickup on second down, Rivers spiked the ball with 18 seconds remaining at the Chiefs 14.
Rivers — who had throw three interceptions to that point — again went through the air hoping to tie it up. Instead, his underthrown attempt to the end zone was picked off by Daniel Sorensen, putting the finishing touch on the Kansas City victory. The mistake was Rivers' seventh interception in the past two games. It sealed LA's seventh one-possession loss of the season.
Sporting News tracked updates, highlights and score changes of Chiefs vs. Chargers.
Chiefs vs. Chargers score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | F | |
| Chiefs | 0 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
| Chargers | 3 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 17 |
Chiefs vs. Chargers updates, highlights
(All times Eastern)
Final: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17
11:40 p.m. : Rivers lofts a ball into the end zone that is picked off by Daniel Sorensen and the Chiefs will pick up the hard-earned win.
11:34 p.m. : Mike Williams makes an absurd grab on third-and-long for a 50-yard gain to get to the Chiefs 25.
11:31 p.m. : Kansas City is hit with an illegal contact penalty with exactly 60 seconds remaining. Chargers are on their own 30.
11:24 p.m. : Chargers sack Mahomes on third down at the Chargers 44 as the clock reaches the two-minute warning. Los Angeles should get a chance to tie it up.
11:21 p.m. : On third down, Mahomes scrambles for a 15-yard gain and the first down. Chiefs will let the clock bleed under three minutes.
11:18 p.m .: Rivers airs it out way downfield on third down and the pass is intercepted by Rashad Fenton. Chiefs have the ball back with 4:13 remaining.
11:15 p.m. : Kansas City will punt it away after Melvin Ingram bats down a third-down pass by Mahomes. Just under five minutes to play.
11:10 p.m. : The Chargers opt to run the ball out of the shotgun on third down and the Chiefs defense eats it up. Los Angeles has to boot it away again.
11:05 p.m. : Pressure comes on third down and Mahomes' screen pass is shut down by the Chargers defense and the exchanging of punts continues.
10:56 p.m. : Los Angeles' drive ends after four plays and the Chargers punt it right back.
10:54 p.m. : Chiefs punt it back to the Chargers after five plays.
Third quarter: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17
10:42 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHARGERS. Rivers hits Allen for a seven-yard touchdown pass and the Chargers complete the two-point attempt to bring the deficit within seven. Chiefs 24, Chargers 17.
10:30 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Mahomes comples a dime to Travis Kelce and Kelce makes a tremendous snag for the score. Chiefs in control. Chiefs 24, Chargers 9.
10:20 p.m .: The Chargers go three-and-out and are forced to punt it back to the Chiefs.
10:14 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Darrel Williams plunges his way in for the rushing touchdown from six yards out. Chiefs 17, Chargers 9.
10:08 p.m. : Chargers force and recover a fumble but an illegal use of hands penalty on Melvin Ingram negates the turnover and Kansas City retains possession.
10:05 p.m. : Chiefs will start the second half with the ball on their own 25.
Halftime: Chiefs 10, Chargers 9
Stats
First downs : Chargers 14, Chiefs 5
Total yards : Chargers 312, Chiefs 109
Yards per play : Chargers 7.3, Chiefs 4.7
Passing yards : Chargers 229, Chiefs 63
Rushing yards : Chargers 83, Chiefs 46
Penalties : Chiefs 3-30, Chargers 4-35
Turnovers : Chiefs 1, Chargers 2
Possession : Chargers 20:21, Chiefs 9:39
9:45 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, CHARGERS. Badgley drills a 49-yard field goal as the clock reaches zeroes. Chiefs 10, Chargers 9.
9:53 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, CHIEFS. Harrison Butker knocks through a 41-yard field goal to cap a nine-play drive with 1:43 to go in the half. Chiefs 10, Chargers 6.
9:23 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, CHARGERS . Badgley converts a 26-yarder to trim the Chiefs lead to one. Chiefs 7, Chargers 6.
9:12 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. LeSean McCoy takes the handoff on the right side and powers his way in for the score. Chiefs 7, Chargers 3.
9:11 p.m. : Another turnover. Rivers' pass is picked off and returned 35 yards by Tyrann Mathieu. Chiefs will need just six yards to punch it in.
9:03 p.m. : Kansas City punts it away after a three-play drive and the punt is muffed by Los Angeles but the Chargers fall on it and retain possession.
8:57 p.m .: The Chargers turn it back over to the Chiefs. Rivers was hit as he was throwing and Derrick Nnandi comes up with the interception after Frank Clark's pressure.
8:56 p.m. : Another explosive play by the Chargers offense. Rivers finds Keenan Allen and Allen is brought down at the Chiefs 26 after a 30-yard gain.
First quarter: Chargers 3, Chiefs 0
8:49 p.m. : Mahomes goes deep across the middle and is picked off by Rayshawn Jenkins. It's just Mahomes' second interception this season.
8:40 p.m. : Badgley's 40-yard attempt is right of the upright and no good. Los Angeles has 14 of the game's 20 plays from scrimmage but just three points on the scoreboard.
8:33 p.m .: A holding penalty sets back Kansas City's drive and Mahomes is unable to get a deep completion on consecutive downs as the Chiefs punt it away.
8:23 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, CHARGERS. Michael Badgley converts a 27-yard field goal attempt, wrapping a 68-yard opening drive for the Chargers. Chargers 3, Chiefs 0.
8:21 p.m .: Philip Rivers hits Austin Ekeler and Ekeler is taken down at the Chiefs 12 after a 37-yard gain.
8:17 p.m .: The Chargers have won the toss and will receive.