Kansas City finds out the cost of settling for three 

Kansas City settled for four Harrison Butker field goals and could not find the end zone as the Los Angeles Rams rallied from a three-point deficit to a 20-12 win. 

Entering the fourth with a 9-6 lead, the Chiefs had controlled much of the game without ever creating separation. Their best chance for them to change the rhythm of the game came in the second quarter as rookie running back Emmett Johnson scored from four yards out. The touchdown was nullified by an offensive holding penalty to Hunter Nourzad, and Kansas City was once again forced to settle for three. 

Instead of creating some breathing room, the Chiefs once again left the Rams within striking distance. 

Continuing with the ball into the fourth, the Chiefs’ opening drive stalled out after a huge sack on quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for a 13-yard loss that would drive them back deep into their own territory. A punt from Matt Araiza led to a 40-yard punt return, setting up Los Angeles on the KC 23.  

Short and precise the Rams were, as it only took them four plays to find the end zone as Ty Simpson found Dean Connors for a nine-yard touchdown, putting Los Angeles up 13-9. In the blink of an eye Kansas City watched its control of the game evaporate after one explosive special-teams play and one short touchdown drive. 

Looking for an answer the Chiefs found their way into Rams territory, but another costly penalty stalled the drive and forced a Kansas City punt. 

Setting the Rams up on the 13-yard line gave Kansas City a glimmer of hope that its defense could swing momentum back in its favor. Los Angeles had other plans, as they marched 87 yards in eight plays including two completions over 20 yards. Simpson would find Connors again as those two continued to build their chemistry on a two-yard touchdown. 

The touchdown made it 20-9 with 6:32 remaining, meaning Kansas City had watched a 9-6 fourth-quarter lead become an 11-point deficit. 

Quarterback Chris Oladokun led the Chiefs to the Rams’ red zone on a 65-yard drive, but once again the offense stalled out, this time at the 8-yard line, forcing Kansas City to settle for another Butker field goal. 

Even with the game hanging in the balance, the end zone remained out of reach for Kansas City. 

They’ll look to get better at finishing drives and cleaning up the penalties as Kansas City turns its attention toward Tampa Bay in preseason Week 2. The game is set for Saturday, August 22, at 6:30 pm and will be the Chiefs’ first road game of the preseason.