INGLEWOOD, Calif. – – Patrick Mahomes has run the gamut of situations in his 100 regular season starts.

Even though the Kansas City Chiefs trailed the Los Angeles Chargers 10-0 just over 11 minutes into Sunday’s game, Mahomes knew there was plenty of time to come back.

On a day when he passed for 245 yards and a touchdown while rediscovering his connection with Travis Kelce, Mahomes cited his defense as the main reason why the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs rallied for a 17-10 win and 4-0 lead the first time since 2020.

“We didn’t play well. but I think the best thing is that no one is talking about it and they’re starting to do that now, but our defense is really good,” said Mahomes, who completed 19 of 29 passes. “They know how to close the door and keep us in the game. Then they believe that the offense will find a way to eventually score enough points.”

Kansas City has won six in a row against the Chargers. It also has 11 straight wins over its AFC West rival, the longest active winning streak by a visiting team and tied for third all-time.

“I’m proud of our guys for hanging in there. That could easily have gone a different way, but the boys supported each other,” said coach Andy Reid.

The Chiefs bounced back after losing the wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in the first quarter. Rice was hit by Mahomes as both players chased down Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton on an interception return.

Seven minutes later, Samaje Perine put Kansas City ahead with a 2-yard touchdown up the middle.

Xavier Worthy had three catches for 73 yards, including a haul a 54-yard pass from Mahomes in the second quarter for the Chiefs’ first touchdown.

Kansas City’s defense also benefited from a hobbled Herbert, who played with limited mobility due to a high ankle sprain and had a patchwork offensive line due to injuries to tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.

“We were able to apply some pressure there in the second quarter and the second half and get those guys going,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “We knew they were a little beat up on the O-line, and there might be some communication and chemistry issues. We have been able to benefit from that over time.”

Herbert was sacked twice by Jones and was hit 10 times on 31 dropbacks. He completed all seven passes in the first quarter, but was 9 of 20 the rest of the time.

“They do well to chase the passer-by. We expected that, we knew that, and I thought we prepared for it,” said Herbert, who was 16 of 27 for 179 yards with a touchdown. “I thought the offensive line did a great job of stepping up, blocking and doing everything they needed to do, but it’s definitely up to us to get better.”

After Steele’s fumble, Herbert completed all four of his passes on Los Angeles’ opening 10-play drive, including a seven-yard strike to Ladd McConkey in the back of the end zone. Herbert took a big hit from Chiefs defenseman Malik Herring while throwing, but he placed the ball in a tight spot because safety Bryan Cook’s back was turned.

Cameron Dicker’s 50-yard field goal extended the Chargers’ lead to 10-0. The drive began after Fulton intercepted Mahomes’ pass intended for Kelce and returned it 29 yards down the right sideline.

Rice knocked the ball loose behind Fulton and Chiefs center Creed Humphrey recovered. But a video review showed Rice was out of bounds when he forced the fumble, allowing LA to keep the ball.

Kansas City had a pair of turnovers and went three-and-out on four of its first five possessions before getting on the court late in the second quarter.

The Chiefs took over at their 46 after forcing the Chargers to go three-and-out, and Mahomes immediately connected with Worthy for the deep touchdown. Worthy, the speedy rookie receiver who was the 28th overall pick in April’s draft, blew past Fulton on a go route and caught him 3 yards deep in the end zone on a pass from Mahomes that went 64 yards in the air.

Harrison Butker’s 37-yard field goal tied the score at 10 midway through the third quarter.

Next

Chiefs: Next Sunday at Minnesota Vikings.

Chargers: Visit Denver after a bye on Oct. 14.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL