# Chargers–Chiefs rivalry

The Chargers–Chiefs rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Since the American Football League (AFL) was established in 1960, the Chargers and the Chiefs have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, the American Football Conference (AFC) West. Following the Raiders' move to Las Vegas (Chiefs) and the Rams' return to Los Angeles (Seahawks and 49ers), they are now the farthest apart two teams in the same division. In recent seasons, Kansas City has dominated the rivalry with 18 wins in the last 21 meetings, including eleven straight wins in San Diego/Los Angeles.
Furthermore, the Chiefs are one of four NFL teams with a winning record against every division rival after 100 games played against each of them (along with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Miami Dolphins). Conversely, the Chargers are one of only three NFL teams with a losing record against every division rival after the same number of games played against each of them (along with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets).
The Chiefs lead the overall series, 71–58–1. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, with the Chargers winning.

## Notable games
### 1960s

Season: 1960 (Week 1) Score: Dallas Texans 20–21 Los Angeles Chargers Notability: The first regular season game for both franchises. Dallas led 20–7 after three quarters, but Jack Kemp ran for one touchdown and threw for another in a comeback win.
Season: 1964 (Week 14) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 49–6 San Diego Chargers Notability: Kansas City's 43-point win represents the widest margin of victory in the series. San Diego came into the game having already clinched the division, but turned the ball over six times. Len Dawson completed 17 of 28 passes for 220 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions.

### 1970s

Season: 1975 (Week 12) Score: San Diego Chargers 28–20 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: San Diego entered the game with an 0–11 record, but defeated the 5–6 Chiefs to avoid a winless season. They scored fourteen unanswered points in the final quarter; quarterback Dan Fouts was intercepted three times but scored the clinching touchdown on a 9-yard run.
Season: 1978 (Week 11) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 23–29 (OT) San Diego Chargers Notability: Won by a Charger touchdown as time expired in overtime. San Diego reached the Kansas City 14 near the end of the extra period, then almost ran out of time when Fouts mistook the play clock for the game clock. Fouts found John Jefferson in the back of the end zone for the game-winner as the last seconds ran off.

### 1980s

Season: 1985 (Week 16) Score: San Diego Chargers 34–38 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: Stephone Paige broke the NFL single-season receiving yards record. Paige caught 8 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns – a 56-yarder from Todd Blackledge and an 84-yarder from Bill Kenney. Kansas City led 35–3 in the 2nd quarter and 38–13 early in the final quarter, before three unanswered Charger touchdowns left them just short of a comeback win.
Season: 1986 (Week 7) Score: San Diego Chargers 41–42 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: The highest-scoring game in the series. The Chiefs scored three return touchdowns in the second quarter, twice on interceptions by Lloyd Burress and once from a fumble recovered by Kevin Ross; Leslie O'Neal added an interception return touchdown for San Diego in the same quarter. The Chargers went on to outgain Kansas City by 512 offensive yards to 222, but still lost when kicker Rolf Benirschke missed a 35-yard field goal in the final minute.

### 1990s

Season: 1992 (Wildcard playoffs) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 0–17 San Diego Chargers Notability: To date, the only playoff meeting between the teams. In rainy conditions, neither team scored in the opening half. Marion Butts opened the scoring in the 3rd quarter with a 54-yard touchdown run, and the Charger defense completed the shutout. Kansas City had swept the Chargers during the regular season, but finished with a 10–6 record to the Chargers' 11–5, hence the playoff game took place in San Diego.
Season: 1995 (Week 6) Score: San Diego Chargers 23–29 (OT) Kansas City Chiefs Notability: Tamarick Vanover scored the first overtime punt return touchdown in NFL history. In a close-fought Monday Night Football game, San Diego led 23–16 after a John Carney field goal with barely a minute left, before Steve Bono led a quick touchdown drive to force overtime. Vanover won the game in the extra period when he took a Darren Bennett punt back 86 yards for a touchdown.
Season: 1998 (Week 3) Score: San Diego Chargers 7–23 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: Rookie Ryan Leaf produced a passer rating of zero in his third start for the Chargers, having won the first two. Leaf finished with 1 completion from 15 attempts, for 4 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He also lost three fumbles and was sacked twice for the loss of 23 yards.

### 2000s

Season: 2000 (Week 13) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 16–17 San Diego Chargers Notability: As they had done in 1975, the 0–11 Chargers beat the 5–6 Chiefs to end the prospect of a winless season. Leaf threw two touchdowns to Freddie Jones in the first half to put San Diego up 14–3, but had an interception run back for a touchdown in the second half as Kansas City came back to lead 16–14. Carney converted a 54-yard field goal with two minutes left, and San Diego won when Warren Moon threw incomplete on 4th down.
Season: 2001 (Week 8) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 25–20 San Diego Chargers Notability: Quarterback Drew Brees, a future Super Bowl MVP, made his NFL debut for the Chargers after Doug Flutie was injured. Brees entered the game 16–0 behind; the deficit became 19–0 before he led the Chargers to 20 unanswered points. Kansas City responded with a game-winning Tony Richardson touchdown run in the final two minutes. Brees completed 15 of 27 passes for 221 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions.
Season: 2006 (Week 15) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 9–20 San Diego Chargers Notability: LaDainian Tomlinson broke the NFL single-season records for rushing touchdowns (28) and points scored (186). He also extended his single-season record for total touchdowns to 31, while rushing 25 times for 199 yards, and scoring on runs of 15 and 85 yards.
Season: 2008 (Week 15) Score: San Diego Chargers 22–21 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: The Chargers (5–8 entering the game) would have been eliminated from playoff contention with a loss, and Kansas City (2–11) led 21–3 in the 3rd quarter. The score was still 21–10 entering the final two minutes, but Philip Rivers threw two touchdowns either side of a successful onside kick, for a one-point lead. Chiefs kicker Connor Barth missed a 50-yard field goal as time expired, and San Diego eventually won the AFC West.

### 2010s

Season: 2013 (Week 17) Score: Kansas City Chiefs 24–27 (OT) San Diego Chargers Notability: San Diego needed a win or tie to make the playoffs. The Chiefs, who had already clinched a playoff berth, rested many of their starters, but still led 24–14 entering the final quarter. After the Chargers tied the game, Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop had a chance to eliminate them, but missed a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left and San Diego won in overtime.
Season: 2014 (Week 17) Score: San Diego Chargers 7–19 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: At 9–6, San Diego needed a win to make the playoffs against the 8–7 Chiefs, who had a small chance of qualifying. The Kansas City defense sacked Rivers seven times and intercepted him twice, and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recovered a teammate's fumble in the end zone to help them lead by twelve points. San Diego drove into Kansas City territory on their final four drives but failed to score on any of them. Both sides missed the playoffs.
Season: 2016 (Week 1) Score: San Diego Chargers 27–33 (OT) Kansas City Chiefs Notability: The Chiefs came back from 21 points down to win in overtime. Melvin Gordon scored twice as San Diego took a 24–3 lead with six minutes to play in the 3rd quarter, but Alex Smith converted two 4th downs and threw two touchdowns as Kansas City came back to tie. Smith ran for the winning score himself on the first drive of overtime. He finished with 34 completions from 48 attempts, for 363 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

### 2020s

Season: 2022 (Week 2) Score: Los Angeles Chargers 24–27 Kansas City Chiefs Notability: Los Angeles and Kansas City played in the first Thursday Night Football game broadcast nationally and exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

## Season-by-season results

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs Season-by-Season Results :
1960s (Chiefs, 10–9–1)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles/San Diego Chargersat Dallas Texans/Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
1960
Tie 1–1
Chargers 21–20
Texans 17–0
Tie 1–1
Inaugural season for both franchises and the American Football League (AFL). The Chargers and Texans are placed in the AFL Western Division, resulting in two meetings annually. Game in Los Angeles is the inaugural game for both franchises. Texans record their first home win in franchise history. Last season until the 2017 season the Chargers played as a Los Angeles-based franchise. .Chargers lose 1960 AFL Championship.
1961
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 24–14
Chargers 26–10
Chargers 3–1
The Chargers relocate to San Diego. Chargers lose 1961 AFL Championship.
1962
Tie 1–1
Chargers 32–28
Texans 26–17
Chargers 4–2
Game in Dallas was the Texans' final regular-season game as a Dallas-based team and under the Texans name. Texans win 1962 AFL Championship.
1963
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 24–10
Chargers 38–17
Chargers 6–2
Texans relocate to Kansas City and rename themselves to the Kansas City Chiefs. Chargers win 1963 AFL Championship.
1964
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 49–6
Chargers 28–14
Chargers 7–3
In San Diego, Chiefs record their largest victory against the Chargers with a 43–point differential and score their most points in a game against the Chargers. Chargers lose 1964 AFL Championship.
1965
Chiefs 1–0–1
Tie 10–10
Chiefs 31–7
Chargers 7–4–1
Chargers lose 1965 AFL Championship.
1966
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 27–14
Chiefs 24–14
Chargers 7–6–1
Chiefs win 1966 AFL Championship, but lose Super Bowl I.
1967
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 45–31
Chargers 17–16
Chargers 9–6–1
Chargers open San Diego Stadium. In San Diego, the Chargers scored their most points in a game against the Chiefs.
1968
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 40–3
Chiefs 27–20
Chargers 9–8–1
1969
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 27–9
Chiefs 27–3
Chiefs 10–9–1
Chiefs win 1969 AFL Championship and Super Bowl IV. :
1970s (Tie, 10–10)
SeasonSeason seriesat San Diego Chargersat Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
1970
Tie 1–1
Chargers 31–13
Chiefs 26–14
Chiefs 11–10–1
As a result of the AFL–NFL merger, the Chargers and Chiefs are placed in the AFC West.
1971
Tie 1–1
Chargers 21–14
Chiefs 31–10
Chiefs 12–11–1
1972
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 26–14
Chargers 27–17
Chiefs 13–12–1
1973
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 19–0
Chiefs 33–6
Chiefs 15–12–1
1974
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 24–14
Chargers 14–7
Chiefs 16–13–1
1975
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 12–10
Chargers 28–20
Chiefs 17–14–1
1976
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 23–20
Chargers 30–16
Chiefs 18–15–1
1977
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 21–16
Chargers 23–7
Chiefs 19–16–1
Road team wins eight straight meetings (1974–1977).
1978
Tie 1–1
Chargers 29–23(OT)
Chiefs 23–0
Chiefs 20–17–1
1979
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 28–7
Chargers 20–14
Chiefs 20–19–1
The Chargers' first season series sweep against the Chiefs since the 1967 season. :
1980s (Chargers, 12–7)
SeasonSeason seriesat San Diego Chargersat Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
1980
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 20–7
Chargers 24–7
Chargers 21–20–1
1981
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 22–20
Chargers 42–31
Chargers 23–20–1
1982
Chiefs 1–0
canceled
Chiefs 19–12
Chargers 23–21–1
Due to the 1982 NFL Players' strike, the game scheduled in San Diego was canceled. This remains the only season the Chargers and Chiefs did not face each other twice in a season.
1983
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 41–38
Chargers 17–13
Chargers 25–21–1
1984
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 42–21
Chiefs 31–13
Chargers 25–23–1
The Chiefs' first season series sweep against the Chargers since the 1973 season.
1985
Tie 1–1
Chargers 31–20
Chiefs 38–34
Chargers 26–24–1
In Kansas City, Chiefs' WR Stephone Paige finished with 309 receiving yards, setting an NFL record for most receiving yards by one player in a game (broken by Calvin Johnson in 2013).
1986
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 24–23
Chiefs 42–41
Tie 26–26–1
1987
Tie 1–1
Chargers 42–21
Chiefs 20–13
Tie 27–27–1
1988
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 24–13
Chargers 24–23
Chargers 29–27–1
1989
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 21–6
Chargers 20–13
Chargers 31–27–1 :
1990s (Chiefs, 14–7)
SeasonSeason seriesat San Diego Chargersat Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
1990
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 24–21
Chiefs 27–10
Chargers 31–29–1
1991
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 14–13
Chiefs 20–17(OT)
Tie 31–31–1
1992
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 24–10
Chiefs 16–14
Chiefs 33–31–1
1992 Playoffs
Chargers 1–0
Chargers 17–0
Chiefs 33–32–1
AFC Wild Card playoff game.
1993
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 17–14
Chiefs 28–24
Chiefs 35–32–1
1994
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 20–6
Chargers 14–13
Chiefs 35–34–1
Chargers lose Super Bowl XXIX.
1995
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 22–7
Chiefs 29–23(OT)
Chiefs 37–34–1
1996
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 22–19
Chargers 28–14
Chiefs 37–36–1
1997
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 29–7
Chiefs 31–3
Chiefs 39–36–1
1998
Tie 1–1
Chargers 38–37
Chiefs 23–7
Chiefs 40–37–1
First season series split since the 1987 season.
1999
Tie 1–1
Chargers 28–9
Chiefs 34–0
Chiefs 41–38–1 :
2000s (Chargers, 11–9)
SeasonSeason seriesat San Diego Chargersat Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
2000
Tie 1–1
Chargers 17–16
Chiefs 42–10
Chiefs 42–39–1
2001
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 25–20
Chiefs 20–17
Chiefs 44–39–1
2002
Tie 1–1
Chargers 35–34
Chiefs 24–22
Chiefs 45–40–1
The Chargers hire former Chiefs' head coach Marty Schottenheimer as their head coach.
2003
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 28–24
Chiefs 27–14
Chiefs 47–40–1
2004
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 24–17
Chargers 34–31
Chiefs 47–42–1
2005
Tie 1–1
Chargers 28–20
Chiefs 20–7
Chiefs 48–43–1
2006
Tie 1–1
Chargers 20–9
Chiefs 30–27
Chiefs 49–44–1
The Chiefs victory came on a last-second field goal by K Lawrence Tynes, who had missed two kicks earlier in the game.
2007
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 30–16
Chargers 24–10
Chiefs 50–45–1
2008
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 20–19
Chargers 22–21
Chiefs 50–47–1
In Kansas City, the Chargers overcome a 21–3 deficit late in the third quarter.
2009
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 43–14
Chargers 37–7
Chiefs 50–49–1 :
2010s (Chiefs, 13–7)
SeasonSeason seriesat San Diego/Los Angeles Chargersat Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
2010
Tie 1–1
Chargers 31–0
Chiefs 21–14
Chiefs 51–50–1
In San Diego, the Chargers record their largest victory against the Chiefs with a 31–point differential.
2011
Tie 1–1
Chargers 20–17
Chiefs 23–20(OT)
Chiefs 52–51–1
In Kansas City, Chargers QB Philip Rivers fumbled the ball while kneeling to set up the potential game-winning field goal, leading to a Chiefs game-winning field goal in overtime. Had they won this game, they would have won the AFC West; however, they ended up tied with the Broncos and Raiders, ultimately losing the tiebreakers to the Broncos.
2012
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 31–13
Chargers 37–20
Chargers 53–52–1
2013
Chargers 2–0
Chargers 27–24(OT)
Chargers 41–38
Chargers 55–52–1
In San Diego, Chargers clinch a playoff berth with their win. As of March 14, 2025, this remains the most recent season series sweep by the Chargers against the Chiefs.
2014
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 23–20
Chiefs 19–7
Chargers 55–54–1
Chiefs' first season series sweep against the Chargers since the 2003 season.
2015
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 33–3
Chiefs 10–3
Chiefs 56–55–1
2016
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 37–27
Chiefs 33–27(OT)
Chiefs 58–55–1
The game in San Diego was the Chargers' final game as a San Diego-based franchise.
2017
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 24–10
Chiefs 30–13
Chiefs 60–55–1
Chargers relocate back to Los Angeles.
2018
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 38–28
Chargers 29–28
Chiefs 61–56–1
Chiefs win nine straight meetings (2014–2018) Chargers win came on a last-minute touchdown and two-point conversion. Both teams finished with 12–4 records, but the Chiefs clinched the AFC West based on a better division record.
2019
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 24–17*
Chiefs 31–21
Chiefs 63–56–1
Chargers' home game was played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as part of the NFL International Series. Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV. :
2020s (Chiefs, 8–2)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Chargersat Kansas City ChiefsOverall seriesNotes
2020
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 23–20(OT)
Chargers 38–21
Chiefs 64–57–1
Chargers open SoFi Stadium, with their game against the Chiefs being their first home game at the new stadium. Chiefs lose Super Bowl LV.
2021
Tie 1–1
Chiefs 34–28(OT)
Chargers 30–24
Chiefs 65–58–1
2022
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 30–27
Chiefs 27–24
Chiefs 67–58–1
Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII.
2023
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 13–12
Chiefs 31–17
Chiefs 69–58–1
Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII.
2024
Chiefs 2–0
Chiefs 17–10
Chiefs 19–17
Chiefs 71–58–1
Chiefs win 11 straight road meetings (2014–present). In Kansas City, the Chiefs clinched the AFC West with their win. Chiefs lose Super Bowl LIX. :
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat San Diego/Los Angeles Chargersat Dallas Texans/Kansas City ChiefsNotes
AFL regular season
Chiefs 10–9–1
Chargers 5–4–1
Chiefs 6–4
The Texans/Chiefs have a 2–1 record in Dallas.
NFL regular season
Chiefs 61–48
Chiefs 28–26
Chiefs 33–22
AFL and NFL regular season
Chiefs 71–57–1
Chiefs 32–31–1
Chiefs 39–26
The Chiefs are 1–0 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (2019), accounted as a Chargers' home game.
NFL postseason
Chargers 1–0
Chargers 1–0
no games
AFC Wild Card: 1992
Regular and postseason
Chiefs 71–58–1
Tie 32–32–1
Chiefs 39–26
The Chargers have a 31–24–1 record in San Diego. Texans/Chiefs currently have a 8–1 record in Los Angeles. :

## Series leaders

Statistics limited to Chargers-Chiefs regular season games. Correct through 2023 season.
| | Chargers | Chiefs |
| Passing yards | Philip Rivers – 7,504 | Len Dawson – 4,476 |
| Rushing yards | LaDainian Tomlinson – 1,488 | Larry Johnson – 724 |
| Receiving yards | Antonio Gates – 1,501 | Tony Gonzalez – 1,353 |
| Touchdowns | Antonio Gates – 17 | Stephone Paige – 10 |
| Sacks | Leslie O'Neal – 11+1⁄2 | Tamba Hali – 13+1⁄2 Derrick Thomas – 13+1⁄2 |
| Interceptions | Speedy Duncan – 5 | Johnny Robinson – 8 |