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Why Chargers Defense Turned Heads in Week 15 Road Win Over Chiefs

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The Chargers continued to roll in Kansas City.

The Bolts earned the first season sweep of the Chiefs since 2013 with a 16-13 road win after trailing by double digits early.

With the offense getting timely scores and the defense allowing just 239 yards on the afternoon, as well as the game-sealing interception, it was a gritty team performance that stuck out in Week 15.

CBS Sports' John Breech gave the team a ‘B+ grade’ and came away impressed with the Chargers' performance as the team moved to a perfect 5-0 against the AFC West.

Breech wrote:

The Chargers had the chance to drive the final dagger into Kansas City's playoff hopes and that's exactly what they did here. If you're going to beat the Chiefs, you have to keep Patrick Mahomes in check and the Chargers defense did that by beating up on Kansas City's star QB. Odafe Oweh and Tuli Tuipulotu both sacked Mahomes twice on a day where the Chargers got to him five times. The defense also came away with two interceptions, including a game-sealing pick from Derwin James. The Chargers are now 5-0 in the AFC West for the first time ever and with their defense playing like this, this is suddenly a historical season that could go deep into January.

Get an inside look at the postgame celebration from the Bolts 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Presented by SoFi!

The Chargers defense has been on a tear since the bye week forcing eight turnovers, including two more against the Chiefs.

It's why NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha had Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter as one of his winners of Week 15 as his unit continues to be a driving force in this late season march towards the postseason.

Chadiha wrote:

Six days after leading a unit that forced five turnovers in a Monday night win over Philadelphia, Minter watched his defense hold the Chiefs to 13 points in a victory that moved the Chargers one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. Kansas City generated just 239 total yards and committed two turnovers in that contest. Minter's defense also was able to exploit an injury-plagued Chiefs offensive line to produce five sacks. The play of the Chargers defense has been crucial to this team's success because Los Angeles has been dealing with its own health issues, both along its offensive line and with quarterback Justin Herbert (who's been playing with a fractured left hand).

The Bolts, who have now won six of their past seven games, are second place in the AFC West and one of five AFC teams with at least 10 wins.

And on a frigid day at Arrowhead, NFL.com's Nick Shook had high praise for what the Chargers were able to do.

Shook wrote:

Los Angeles' defense played with palpable aggression and intensity
 and came to Arrowhead Stadium with one goal: Bury the Chiefs and prove they're no longer the fearsome big brother of the AFC West. The Chargers did just that, winning the physical battle and proving they are the tougher, better team.

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