Watson’s pick-six leads Chiefs to 27-24 win over Chargers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Good things come to those who wait. And the Kansas City Chiefs waited until the seventh round to select rookie cornerback Jaylen Watson, who made an impact in Thursday night’s home opener with a 99-yard interception returned for a touchdown.

The pick-six for the rookie out of Washington State gave the Chiefs a 24-17 lead with 10:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Kansas City would not trail for the remainder of the game, going on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers, 27-24.

“We knew they liked to throw switch routes so me and Justin (Reid) worked together,” said Jaylen Watson. “The ball just ended up in my chest and I took it home. It was a surreal feeling. I didn’t even know what to do when I got into the end zone. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

Kansas City was held scoreless throughout the first quarter and trailed 10-0 moments into the second quarter when Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert found Zander Horvath for a 1-yard score.

The Chiefs got on the board with a 9-yard touchdown pass as quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambled around and slung a ball to Jerick McKinnon for the score. Trailing 17-7, Mahomes stepped up in the pocket and found free agent addition Justin Watson for a 41-yard score on 3rd-and-10, shortening the Chiefs’ deficit to 17-14 with 7:22 left in the third quarter.

“Justin Watson came in when Mecole (Hardman) was a little banged up and he got Mecole’s route,” Mahomes said, “and he won against a Pro Bowl, All-Pro corner. For guys like that to make their imprint on the game, that’ll help us out as we get into tough games like this that we can get touchdowns and stuff like that from everybody.”

Watson’s deep touchdown came moments after a Mahomes interception was overturned due to the ball hitting the ground.

Mahomes completed 24 of 35 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Herbert left the game briefly in the fourth quarter. He finished with 334 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, completing 33 of 48 passes in the contest.

“In the second half we trusted in our o-line and we gave them a few chips (on defensive lineman),” Mahomes said. With the win, the Chiefs improved to 22-3 in AFC West games with Mahomes as their starting quarterback. That record is the best in the league since the merger in 1970. “I thought they did a great job of giving me enough time to make those throws. That’s a great defense, and I thought we battled to find a way to win.”

“The defense kept us in the game,” Mahomes said.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones disrupted the Chargers all night long, tallying two sacks in the second half.

Kansas City improves to 2-0 with the win. In Week 3, the Chiefs will travel to play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 25 at noon.

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