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          Chiefs take first lead over Chargers with Watson's 99-yard pick-six in fourth quarter

          David Eulitt/Getty Images
          • Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff WriterSep 16, 2022, 02:39 AM
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            • Covered Chiefs for 20 seasons for Kansas City Star
            • Joined ESPN in 2013
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          Rookie Jaylen Watson, playing only because starting cornerback Trent McDuffie was placed on injured reserve this week, delivered the biggest play of the game so far in the fourth quarter. With the Chargers facing a first-and-goal from the 3, Watson intercepted a Justin Herbert pass and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to put the Chiefs ahead 24-17.

          The Kansas City Chiefs cut their deficit to 17-14 in the third quarter on quarterback Patrick Mahomes' 41-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Watson. Mahomes stepped up in the pocket and threw off his back foot, but the ball was still perfectly placed. This was Watson's first touchdown since 2019, when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

          The Chiefs' first touchdown of Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers came after Mahomes was flushed from the pocket. He scrambled to his right and threw sidearm to running back Jerick McKinnon, who found his way into the end zone to complete the 9-yard touchdown play. The play allowed the Chiefs to cut their deficit to 10-7 in the second quarter.