Jaylen Watson was working at a Wendy’s operated by his mother in Augusta, Georgia three years ago as he waited for a chance to continue his football career. He eventually became academically eligible and finished his college career at Washington State. On Thursday night, in front of a national television audience, Watson starred for the Chiefs. The seventh-round draft pick’s 99-yard pick-six turned the game around, helping the Chiefs to a 27-24 victory over the Chargers. Watson’s game-changing play — the longest fourth-quarter touchdown by a rookie in NFL history — came with the Chargers at the 3-yard line and on the verge of breaking a 17-17 tie. He got in front of Gerald Everett and got the distance from the interception. The Chargers built a 10-point lead in the second half as the Chiefs scored 20 straight before Justin Herbert threw a late touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer. Los Angeles didn’t recover the onside kick with 1:11 left – although the ball was momentarily loose – ending their comeback hopes. Herbert was hit after losing center Corey Linsley, who sat out the second half with a knee injury, and right tackle Trey Pipkins, who left in the second half with an ankle injury. A hard hit by Chiefs linebacker Mike Danna to Herbert’s midsection left the quarterback in obvious pain the rest of the game. Danna’s hit forced Herbert to leave for one game, with Chase Daniel replacing him. Herbert finished 33-of-48 for 334 yards with three touchdowns and the pick-six. Patrick Mahomes, who had two potential interceptions from Asante Samuel, went 24-of-35 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He threw strikes 9 yards to Jerick McKinnon and 41 yards to Justin Watson. Matt Ammendola, filling in for the injured Harrison Butker, had field goals of 19 and 31 yards.
