SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Alex Smith threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and
the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the AFC West title and a first-round playoff bye
with a 37-27 victory Sunday against the Chargers in perhaps the final NFL game
in San Diego.
The Chiefs (12-4) clinched the division with the win and Oakland’s loss at
Denver.
San Diego fired coach Mike McCoy after the game.
Smith, who went to nearby Helix High in La Mesa, scored on a 5-yard scramble
early in the second quarter to tie the game at 10 and then threw a 4-yard
touchdown pass to wide-open Charcandrick West later in the quarter to put the
Chiefs ahead for good at 17-10. That followed the first of two interceptions by
Philip Rivers that led to 10 points for the Chiefs.
Smith was intercepted once, on a deflected pass that Jahleel Addae returned 90
yards for a touchdown to pull the Chargers (5-11) to 20-17 in the third quarter.
Smith came right back and threw a 2-yard scoring pass to West, who again was
wide open.
Rookie Tyreek Hill showed some fancy footwork in returning a punt 95 yards for
a touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter.
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