• Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in the Chiefs' game against the Chargers, ending his season.
• The Chargers won 16-13, eliminating Kansas City from playoff contention for the first time since 2014.
• Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew will lead the Chiefs in their remaining games.
• Patrick Mahomes expressed emotional pain but remains hopeful for recovery.
• The victory marked the Chargers' 10th win of the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the final moments of a critical game against the Los Angeles Chargers, resulting in a 16-13 defeat. The injury occurred with just 1:53 left on the clock when Mahomes, attempting a throw, was tackled by Chargers' defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand. This loss marks the first time in Mahomes' career that the Chiefs will miss the playoffs, as confirmed by an MRI released by the team shortly after the game, according to SFGate, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

In a hard-fought battle, Mahomes showcased determination by completing 16 of 28 pass attempts for 189 yards and rushing for a 12-yard touchdown before his injury. The Chiefs were poised for a potential comeback in the game's closing moments, but backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who took over after Mahomes' exit, threw an interception to Chargers safety Derwin James, sealing the defeat. The Chargers' victory improved their record to 10-4 as they continue to vie for the playoffs, according to SFGate and Reuters.

Following the game, both Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid expressed concern over his severe injury. Mahomes articulated his emotional struggle on social media, vowing to make a strong comeback, saying, “Don’t know why this had to happen...But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again,” a sentiment captured in commentary from various sources. Reid also noted, “I don’t know but it didn’t look good,” underscoring the shock of the incident, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

The defeat also snapped a notable streak for the Chiefs, who had not missed the postseason since 2014, highlighting the shift in their competitive standing as they adapt to losing their star quarterback. Minshew will now lead the Chiefs through the final three games of the season, starting with a matchup against the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, further illustrating the challenges ahead for the team, as noted by SFGate and Al Jazeera.