Justin Herbert Outduels Mahomes as Chargers Beat Chiefs 27-21/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns as the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in São Paulo, Brazil. The win ended a seven-game skid against their AFC West rivals. Patrick Mahomes managed 258 yards and a late touchdown but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Chargers vs. Chiefs in Brazil: Quick Looks
- Herbert passed for 318 yards, three TDs, and rushed for 32 yards.
- His 19-yard scramble sealed the victory with 2:21 left.
- Chargers earned first win over Chiefs since Sept. 26, 2021.
- Game streamed on YouTube; Brazilian soccer star Neymar attended.
- Mahomes: 24-of-39, 258 yards, one TD, two sacks.
- Chiefs lost WR Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury in 1st quarter.
- Rookie Omarion Hampton mistake stopped the clock but led to FG.
- Cameron Dicker hit 36-yard FG for 13-3 lead.
- Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker nailed 59-yarder before halftime.
- Kelce scored in the 4th but failed 2-point conversion hurt comeback.
- Next: Chiefs host Eagles (Sept. 14); Chargers at Raiders (Sept. 15).
Deep Look: Herbert’s Big Night Lifts Chargers Past Chiefs 27-21 in Brazil Showdown
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — The Los Angeles Chargers opened their 2025 NFL season with a statement victory, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in Brazil on Friday night behind a strong performance from quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, and added a key 19-yard scramble late in the fourth quarter that sealed the game. His play ended a seven-game losing streak against the Chiefs, marking the Chargers’ first victory over Kansas City since September 2021.
“It’s monumental,” said Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. “September 5th will go down in some Charger lore. It was a big win.”
Herbert vs. Mahomes: QB Duel in South America
Herbert finished 25-of-34, with three sacks and 32 rushing yards. His performance placed him alongside only two other Chargers quarterbacks to post 300+ yards and three TDs in a season opener.
Mahomes, meanwhile, had an uneven outing, completing 24-of-39 passes for 258 yards with one touchdown and two sacks. He admitted afterward that the Chiefs lacked energy at the start.
“They definitely came out with more energy than we did,” Mahomes said. “We got to get better from the start.”
Key Moments of the Game
- Early dominance: Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston for a 5-yard TD on the opening drive, then later added a 23-yard TD to the same receiver in the fourth, giving Los Angeles a 26-18 lead.
- Chiefs rally: Mahomes hit Travis Kelce with a 37-yard touchdown early in the fourth to cut the score to 20-18, but a failed 2-point conversion loomed large.
- Late drive: After Harrison Butker’s 27-yard field goal made it 27-21, Herbert scrambled for a first down on 3rd-and-14 with just over two minutes left, ending Kansas City’s comeback hopes.
Injuries and Miscues
The Chiefs were already thin at receiver, with Rashee Rice suspended and rookie Jalen Royals out with a knee injury. Early in the game, rookie Xavier Worthy collided with Kelce, suffering a right shoulder injury and exiting.
For the Chargers, rookie running back Omarion Hampton made a costly mistake late in the first half by running out of bounds on 3rd-and-16. The miscue stopped the clock, but kicker Cameron Dicker salvaged the drive with a 36-yard FG for a 13-3 lead.
Kansas City quickly answered, with Butker drilling a 59-yarder to pull within 13-6 at halftime.
Tempers flared in the third quarter when Kelce shoved DT Teair Tart, who retaliated with a slap to Kelce’s helmet. Tart drew a penalty but avoided ejection.
Atmosphere and Entertainment
The NFL’s second-ever game in South America had a festival atmosphere. Neymar attended, while Colombian star Karol G performed at halftime. Pop icon Taylor Swift, newly engaged to Kelce, was notably absent.
What’s Next
The Chiefs will regroup quickly as they prepare for a Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 14. The Chargers will head to Las Vegas for a divisional showdown with the Raiders on Sept. 15.
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