The LA Chargers swept the Kansas City Chiefs in the season series for the first time since the 2013 season. While it doesn't necessarily indicate that a big playoff run for the Bolts is on the way, the changing of the guard in the AFC West is historic.
The Chiefs hadn't missed the NFL Playoffs since HC Andy Reid's second season in 2014. This season, both the Broncos and Chargers will likely advance to extra January football without Kansas City there.
Los Angeles' second-half defensive performance was dominant. At media availability on Thursday, Minter talked about the physicality of the defense. Minter mentioned that it was an undermanned unit as well. Practice squad elevation Marcus Williams played a decent amount of snaps with Derwin James Jr. after the ejection of Tony Jefferson and an injury to R.J. Mickens. Elijah Molden was already ruled out before the game. Minter's defense still shut out the Chiefs in the second half.
When head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to the media, he mentions the next game being the most important game of the season as one of his trademark lines. Essentially, no opponent is more or less important than another. But Minter acknowledged that there was an extra mentality component when it comes to playing the Chiefs.
"I thought it was just a mindset game for us," Minter started. "That's a team that we've talked about a lot, I would say since we got here."
"I remember sitting in my house in Michigan watching the Super Bowl they won right after I had already taken the job here with actually a lot of the coaches. We were leaving the next morning to come out here. And man, what an opportunity, what a challenge-something we were excited about to go chase that particular team."
"That's a team you have to go take the game from because they've made so many key plays in key moments over the years. We felt that last year in that game in their place. The mindset, the resiliency, and kinda going and taking it from them was probably what I was most excited, most proud of," Minter said.
Jesse Minter and the Chargers had the Chiefs circled on the calendar for a while.
The Chargers certainly have higher aspirations than a Week 15 win against Kansas City. But beating the Chiefs is in part what Jim Harbaugh's staff was brought here to do. The Chargers beat the Chiefs just one time under Brandon Staley's tenure. With Harbaugh and co., they've already won two games vs. Kansas City this season.
While the Chiefs have struggled on offense this season, shutting them out in the second half is still impressive. And people around the league will take notice. Enjoy having Minter in Los Angeles while he's here before potential head coaching interviews.
Minter's defense will look to stack another good defensive performance vs. the Cowboys on Sunday at 10 AM PT on FOX.