Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Oct 19

Harbaugh Reviews Mike McDaniel's Role After Chargers Fall to 0-6 in 22-6 Chiefs Loss

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Oct 19

Harbaugh Reviews Mike McDaniel's Role After Chargers Fall to 0-6 in 22-6 Chiefs Loss

Q: How did Mahomes overcome the mental hurdle of his previous knee injury to tie Tom Brady's legendary 100-win milestone?

Mahomes overcame it by reframing the experience, not dwelling on it, and playing a controlled game focused on winning rather than forcing highlights. He said he had only recently gone back and watched last December’s Chargers loss — the game in which he tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee — and added, “We’ve gotten by that pretty quickly.” More importantly, he said the injury changed his perspective: “Last year in general put everything in perspective for me to just have fun when you’re out there.” He also stressed that every chance to play matters because “you never know when it’s going to be your last one.” That mindset showed on the field. Instead of chasing big numbers, Mahomes leaned into efficient football, finishing with 272 passing yards in Kansas City’s 22-6 win, his 100th career victory in his 131st start — tying Tom Brady for the fewest starts to reach 100 regular-season wins since 1950. Mahomes said he has “gotten better and better at winning,” even when “it’s not always pretty,” and against the Chargers he avoided forcing throws and took what the defense gave him. The Chiefs also helped ease that burden with a strong run game and defense. Kenneth Walker rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns, while Kansas City’s defense held Los Angeles out of the end zone. In that setting, Mahomes did not have to relive the injury through risky play; he simply managed the game, trusted his teammates, and turned a painful memory into a milestone win.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 19

Jim Harbaugh said the Chargers will "look at everything" and specifically address the offense after a 22-6 loss in Kansas City dropped them to 0-6.
Six games into Mike McDaniel's tenure, Los Angeles again stalled badly—scoring 3 points in each half, averaging 4.1 yards per play and wasting defensive chances that kept Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to 22 points.
Justin Herbert's struggles have sharpened scrutiny of the scheme: he threw another interception, has a league-high 8 picks through six weeks, was sacked four times and even led the team in rushing with 26 yards.
The skid has turned a once-hyped coordinator hire into a crisis point for a team that had back-to-back 11-win seasons, with Harbaugh now facing his first 0-6 start as a coach and playoff odds effectively gone.