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Chargers head to Kansas City trying to snap a 6-game skid vs Chiefs and help their playoff chances

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Chargers head to Kansas City trying to snap a 6-game skid vs Chiefs and help their playoff chances
News

News

Chargers head to Kansas City trying to snap a 6-game skid vs Chiefs and help their playoff chances

2024-12-06 04:29 Last Updated At:04:31

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers would love to be in the Kansas City Chiefs' situation these days.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions have already clinched their 10th consecutive postseason berth, the second-longest streak in NFL history. They are closing in on another AFC West title. And they play two of their next three at home, beginning with Sunday night's matchup against Los Angeles.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright (49) kicks a field goal from the hold of Matt Araiza during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright (49) kicks a field goal from the hold of Matt Araiza during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) holds the recovery ball after a fumble by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) holds the recovery ball after a fumble by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fan following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fan following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) sets back to pass the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) sets back to pass the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Oh, and the Chiefs are wholly unsatisfied with just about anything.

In back-to-back weeks, and wins over Carolina and Las Vegas decided in the final couple plays, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs (11-1) sounded as if they had lost. They admittedly have not played their best game yet, and with five games left in the regular season, time is becoming short to put everything together.

“I think when you clinch a playoff spot — that's your first goal is to get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance to go for that Super Bowl,” said Mahomes, who has been openly critical of his own play for much of the season. “We know we have a long way to go. We have to continue to work to get better to continue to be a better team going into the playoffs.”

While five games may not sound like much, it's a luxury compared to where Kansas City sat last season.

An argument could be made that the team didn't hit rock-bottom until Christmas Day, when it lost at home to the Raiders. But the Chiefs rolled on from there to the Super Bowl title, and did not lose again until their game at Buffalo a few weeks ago.

“We're happy to clinch a playoff berth,” Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton said, “but we have a long way to go to reach the end goal.”

So do the Chargers (8-4), though they are certainly moving in the right direction.

They climbed back to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs with their win over the Falcons coupled with the Ravens' loss to the Eagles, putting them in a good spot in Jim Harbaugh's first season. They've also won five of six with the lone loss to Baltimore.

"Oh yeah, we look at the standings, for sure,” Harbaugh ackowledged. “They are very important. We’re fighting for our playoff lives.”

They would be helped immeasurably by ending a six-game skid against the Chiefs on Sunday night.

“It’d be great if somebody else doesn’t win, but you can’t count on that. It’s something you don’t count on,” Harbaugh said. "You have to win the games yourselves. That’s what you have to do. Can’t really spend any energy hoping a team messes up.”

D.J. Humphries could make his Kansas City debut at left tackle just over a week after signing with the team. The former Pro Bowl pick had spent the summer and start of the season rehabbing from a torn ACL, but pronounced himself fit and ready to go.

“I got full faith that this organization knows what to do with football players and knows where to put them,” Humphries said. “All I have to do is go out there and be the best version of myself every day.”

It doesn't seem to matter who's kicking for the Chiefs these days; they always come through.

When Harrison Butker went on injured reserve with a knee injury, Spencer Shrader arrived off the Jets' practice squad and he promptly kicked the game-winner against Carolina. And when he hurt his hamstring, Matt Wright arrived and made four field goals last week against Las Vegas.

The Chargers had four interceptions off Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins last week, their most since Dec. 6, 2022, against Indianapolis. Tarheeb Still had two of them, returning one 61 yards for a go-ahead touchdown, while Marcus Maye and Derwin James had the others. The one by James with 47 seconds to go sealed the 17-13 victory.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has gone 305 pass attempts without an interception, and he could break the NFL record of 402 set by Aaron Rodgers in just a few more games.

But simply taking care of the ball didn't translate into much offense against the Falcons, who held the Chargers to just 187 yards and without an offensive touchdown.

“The way he protected the ball, whether he was throwing it or in the pocket, when he got hit — no opportunities. Nothing was given there,” Harbaugh said of his quarterback. "I thought he made all the plays that he really could have.”

The Chiefs are beginning perhaps the wildest stretch of the wildest schedule in the NFL this season.

After Sunday night's game, they head to Cleveland, then play Houston six days later Saturday. That game was scheduled on that date so Kansas City could head to Pittsburgh on Christmas for a rare Wednesday kickoff. And the Chiefs' regular-season finale against the Broncos is currently up in the air as a flex game in Week 18.

“It's awkward,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said, “to say the least.”

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

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright (49) kicks a field goal from the hold of Matt Araiza during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright (49) kicks a field goal from the hold of Matt Araiza during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) holds the recovery ball after a fumble by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) holds the recovery ball after a fumble by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fan following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fan following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) sets back to pass the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) sets back to pass the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

NEW YORK (AP) — Reestablishing an immigration office at New York's notorious Rikers Island jail is just the first step in a more complex agreement President Donald Trump's administration has reached with Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, the new U.S. border czar said Friday in their first joint public appearance.

Tom Homan and Adams appeared side-by-side on “Fox & Friends” a day after the two announced that Adams had agreed to sign an executive order reestablishing an office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the jail. One purpose of the office will be to share intelligence on gangs, they said.

The agreement is already being heavily criticized by New York City Council leaders, after prosecutors resigned in protest against a directive from Trump's Department of Justice to dismiss corruption charges against Adams so the mayor could assist with the Republican president's immigration agenda.

The enhanced cooperation between Adams and the Trump administration detailed in Friday's interview has accelerated criticism that the mayor has become beholden to the president in exchange for saving him from criminal prosecution.

At the same time, Adams is facing a renewed wave of calls to resign from office, with critics arguing that he has become inextricably linked with the president's agenda to the point where he cannot independently run his own city. In a statement Friday afternoon, Adams sought to dispel those concerns.

“I want to be crystal clear with New Yorkers: I never offered — nor did anyone offer on my behalf — any trade of my authority as your mayor for an end to my case. Never," Adams said. “I am solely beholden to the 8.3 million New Yorkers that I represent and I will always put this city first."

Homan said the agreement with Adams on Rikers, which has been under court orders to resolve longstanding problems with security, use of force and more, was just one piece of a bigger collaboration.

“We’re working on some other things that we don’t really want to talk about in open areas because the city council will be putting roadblocks upon us,” Homan said. “But the mayor and me have committed to several other things that will make the city safer."

At one point, the border czar also issued a clear warning to the mayor if he decided not to comply with the president's agenda in the future.

“If he doesn’t come through, I’ll be back in New York City, and we won’t be sitting on the couch. I’ll be in his office, up his butt, saying, ‘Where the hell is the agreement we came to?’ ” Homan said.

New York City Council leaders said in a statement Thursday that city law prohibits an ICE office at Rikers Island. They said they are ready to scrutinize the executive order when it is released, adding that the “announcement only deepens the concern that the mayor is prioritizing the interests of the Trump Administration over those of New Yorkers.”

The vast majority of the 6,000 people at Rikers Island are pre-trial defendants, according to a 2023 comptroller report. It is unclear how an executive the order from Adams could help ICE create a dragnet for immigrants it is targeting, without offering them access to people without criminal records, such as those who are released on bail or whose charges have been dismissed.

Adams and Homan said they agree on flagging criminals for deportation.

Adams deflected questions about the federal prosecutors who have resigned in protest after the Department of Justice directed their office to dismiss corruption charges against Adams. One prosecutor accused the Justice Department of accepting a “quid pro quo” — dropping the case to ensure Adams’ help with Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.

“If you don’t help them, they could refile the charges,” host Steve Doocy said to Adams, appearing to form a question.

“No,” Adams shot back, adding “I don’t get into the legalese. I have an attorney to do that, and I pay a lot for that.”

Associated Press writer Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.

CORRECTS IDENTIFICATION TO JOANN ARIOLA FROM VICKIE PALADINO - A member of the New York City Council Joann Ariola speaks to the members of the media outside the Federal Plaza, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

CORRECTS IDENTIFICATION TO JOANN ARIOLA FROM VICKIE PALADINO - A member of the New York City Council Joann Ariola speaks to the members of the media outside the Federal Plaza, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A car carrying Border Czar Tom Homan drives out of the Federal Plaza, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A car carrying Border Czar Tom Homan drives out of the Federal Plaza, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

White House border czar Tom Homan speaks with reporters outside the White House, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

White House border czar Tom Homan speaks with reporters outside the White House, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

This image provided by Office of the New York Mayor shows New York Mayor Eric Adams as he speaks during an address from City Hall, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Ed Reed/Office of the New York Mayor via AP)

This image provided by Office of the New York Mayor shows New York Mayor Eric Adams as he speaks during an address from City Hall, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Ed Reed/Office of the New York Mayor via AP)

This image provided by Office of the Mayor of New York, shows President Donald Trump's border czar Thomas Homan, left, and New York Mayor Adams, right, and others, meeting in New York, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Ed Reed/Office of the Mayor of New York via AP)

This image provided by Office of the Mayor of New York, shows President Donald Trump's border czar Thomas Homan, left, and New York Mayor Adams, right, and others, meeting in New York, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Ed Reed/Office of the Mayor of New York via AP)

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