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    Chargers must ‘get back on track,’ linebacker Eric Kendricks says
    • October 23, 2023

    Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco scores during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes drops back to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

    Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) is stopped by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is unable to catch a pass as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Blake Bell (81) fumbles as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) and safety Derwin James Jr. (3) defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The fumble was recovered by the Chargers. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

    Taylor Swift, left, and Brittany Mahomes, right, celebrate a Kansas City Chiefs touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

    Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

    Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) celebrates after intercepting a pass as teammate AJ Finley (24) watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Peter Aiken)

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The postgame mood in the Chargers’ locker room was what you would expect after a 31-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. They were down but defiant, determined to bounce back after falling to 2-4 and looking ahead to the next challenge after failing to meet Sunday’s test.

    Realistically, though, with 11 games remaining in the 2023 season, the Chargers must go 8-3 the rest of the way in order to match last season’s 10-7 record. They have opportunities to turn around their season, starting with next Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium.

    “There’s nothing we can do about this one, particularly,” Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks said. “It hurts. We wanted it to be a different result. There were some good things we did. There were some bad things we did. But from the grand scheme of things, we’ve got to get back on track.

    “We’ve got to settle down and we’ve got to get back after it. We have 11 games left. It’s a lot of games. A lot of things can still happen. We start playing good, we can still hold some cards in this thing. Honestly, it’s just about finishing. We’ve got the guys. I’m very confident. It’s hard to be confident when it’s like this, but I’ve been in this situation before with good teams.”

    Kendricks, a nine-year veteran who spent his first eight seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings after a stellar career at UCLA, couldn’t remember exactly when it was that one of his teams rallied after a rocky start. But he was adamant that it happened at some point.

    “I have no idea, but I’ve been in this situation before,” he said, laughing along with reporters. “I have been in this situation before. You can go back and look. This is my ninth year, so somewhere in the mix. It’s just about stacking them and being consistent, letting go of what you can’t control … and being a savage.”

    It’s possible Kendricks was referring to the 2020 season, when the Vikings started out 1-5 before winning six of their final 10 games for a 7-9 overall record. It was the only noteworthy turnaround during his tenure with Minnesota, which began when he was drafted in the second round in 2015.

    TURNING POINT

    Kendricks was involved in what turned out to be a pivotal play near the end of the half, when he was called for pass interference while defending a pass from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes that was intended for tight end Travis Kelce in the end zone. The penalty gave Kansas City the ball at the Chargers’ 1-yard line.

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    On first and goal, Mahomes then completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Kelce for a 24-17 lead with 15 seconds left in the half, an advantage that would hold up as the Chiefs held the Chargers scoreless in the second half. It was Mahomes’ third touchdown pass of the first half.

    “The penalty before half(time) was crucial,” Kendricks said. “It led to a touchdown. … It was sold pretty well. I didn’t turn my head. I was in a really good position. I wasn’t trying to be physical. I knew it was a scramble drill, so I knew if I turned my head the tight end could go in another direction.

    “He sold it pretty well.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

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