The Kansas City Chiefs season is hanging by a thread as they played a must-win game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
As expected, this AFC West battle between rivals was physical, as it featured two teams fighting for playoff positioning. The tensions boiled over in the second half, as one play led to a fight and an ejection in a three-point game.
A loss for the Chiefs would essentially end their dreams of making the playoffs, while a loss for the Chargers would make it tough for them to win the division. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the game got chippy as time wound down.
Here’s why a fourth-quarter hit led to a fight in Kansas City.
Chiefs-Chargers fight
Early in the fourth quarter, , with Los Angeles up three but Kansas City driving, the Chiefs and Chargers got into a scuffle after Tony Jefferson laid a big hit on Tyquan Thornton. The Chiefs wide receiver went to haul in a pass, but Jefferson then hit Thornton in the head, resulting in a penalty.
Thornton was slow to get up, and his Chiefs teammates went after Jefferson for a perceived illegal hit. That led to a fight between the two sides.
things have gotten heated between Chiefs & Chargers after a big hit on Tyquan Thornton pic.twitter.com/OAJ8rNfAOL
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025
While Thornton was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power, the referees ultimately ejected Jefferson from the game for an illegal hit to the head.
After the game, Jefferson apologized to Thornton and the rest of the Chiefs for the hit, saying he is “classier than that.”
“I was caught up in the moment, I’m classier than that.”
Tony Jefferson apologizes to Chiefs Kingdom for his gesutre towards the fans after being ejected for his hit on Tyquan Thornton.@chrishayre | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/wWzL0CwJrB
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) December 14, 2025
Tyquan Thornton injury
Thornton was hit in the head by Jefferson in the second half, and he was extremely slow to get up. While the Chiefs and Chargers fought a bit over the hit, Kansas City medical staff evaluated Thornton on the field.
Fortunately, Thornton was able to get up and walk off the field himself, but he immediately entered concussion protocol.
