Although the final score does not necessarily reflect it, the Los Angeles Chargers had perhaps their most efficient and balanced offensive game in weeks against the Kansas City Chiefs, granting quarterback Justin Herbert enough time, for the most part, to make the plays he needed to help propel them to the victory.
Moreover, the performance of the team's running back duo in Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal, which may have gone relatively unnoticed in such a defensive-centric game, contributed majorly to the semblance of reliability and progress that the team found on the offensive side of the ball.
On the game, Hampton rushed for 61 yards on 15 carries while Vidal earned 33 yards on 12 carries. While neither player found the end zone or truly had an explosive play, the continued viability of both of them out of the backfield will be wholly necessary for Los Angeles's attempt to cobble together a playoff-worthy offensive front over the remainder of the season.
Omarion Hampton is the offensive weapon the Chargers have been missing (even when he doesn't make explosive plays)
Although the Chargers came out of the gates this season as a pass-heavy team, they were very quickly limited in that regard by the injuries to and sub-par play of their offensive line. Moreover, the significant injuries that both Hampton and Najee Harris suffered prevented the, from being a truly run-dominant team as well for much of the season.
Yet, in that span, Vidal emerged as a very viable option out of the backfield, totaling 525 rushing yards and four total touchdowns in Hampton's absence.
Therefore, when Hampton returned last week, it quickly became clear that the pair's roles would be relatively balanced over the remainder of the season. While this paid dividends against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14, the Kansas City Chiefs, in many ways, presented a much tougher test.
Nevertheless, the Chargers immediately made clear what their plans were, beginning the game with five straight run plays that, although the team was stopped once they got to the other side of the field, led to what turned out to be a pivotal field goal.
The threat that the dual backs presented for Los Angeles gave them a little bit of breathing room in their passing game as well, with the team seemingly turning to play action more often than they have in recent weeks.
Vidal, on his own, was excellent. Yet, it is the return of Hampton, as both an explosive threat and an additional reliable back, that has helped their run game make its biggest impact.