Chargers, Herbert surge in Brazil with 27-21 win over Chiefs

São Paulo, Corinthians Arena

The Los Angeles Chargers sent a loud, clinic-like message in Week 1 in São Paulo, beating the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that looked like a turning point for the Bolts as they finally got the Chiefs off their back! Justin Herbert’s precision and pace set the tone from the opening drive, connecting with Quentin Johnston for a quick strike that punctuated a methodical, high-tempo march. The Chargers basically sent a blueprint to the league on how to beat the Chiefs. The Chargers very dynamic wide receiver Quinton Johnston flashed his big-play ceiling with a huge 33-yard catch-and-run on the same drive and was factorized into the Chargers early rhythm and it was fun to watch! Even as Xavier Worthy exited early with a shoulder issue for KC. The opening sequence and that early Chargers TD underscored the Bolts plan to constantly attack downfield while using Herbert’s incredible accuracy to stabilize a reshuffled target tree.

Justin Herbert wasn’t working in a vacuum. He orchestrated a balanced approach that looked ready to test the Chiefs coverages all night, aided by a Chargers receiving corps that included Keenan Allen’s veteran steadiness and Johnston’s emerging downfield threat. Johnston’s day featured a five-yard TD on a catch at the goal line and a key 33-yard play, signaling that LA has both a reliable veteran presence and a high-ceiling rookie option to pair with Allen. The combination of Allen and Johnston gave Herbert layered answers in the short, intermediate, and deep areas, while Ladd McConkey supplied another layer of speed and YAC potential. The result was a multi-pronged aerial attack that KC’s secondary had to respect, even with Rashee Rice sidelined by suspension.

On the Chargers’ side, the rookie backfield added a meaningful dynamic. Omarion Hampton — LA’s first-round back — saw heavy usage and flashed burst, logging eight carries for 31 yards by halftime with an 11-yard run among his early highlights. The coaching staff leaned into Hampton’s speed as a change-of-pace option behind Herbert’s air raid, with Marshawn Lynch (on the sideline) coaching him up in real time after a late-half miscue. Hampton’s touches and the veteran mentorship are important signals for how LA could deploy the backfield over the next few weeks, particularly with Najee Harris in the mix and the team managing a patchwork interior line. Hampton’s workload and Lloyd-like hands in pass protection provide a plausible path to a larger role as the season unfolds..

The Chiefs faced a depleted outside group thanks to Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension to start the year, which shifted early-season target distribution toward Kelce, Hollywood Brown, and other interim options as they awaited reinforcements. The NFL’s suspension news confirms Rice will miss Weeks 1–6, shaping Week 1 game plans and fantasy considerations in KC’s favor and against the rest of the league’s receivers. Kansas City’s depth issues also fed into LA’s plan to mix in more multi-spot routes and quicker throws, allowing Herbert to capitalize on the openings created by the injury and disciplinary context.

Defensively, the Chargers pressed their advantage late, weathering a late KC push that included a 59-yard field goal by Harrison Butker on the clock’s final sequence of the half. The sequence signaled that the Chiefs could still flash their big-play capability, but LA’s execution over the first three quarters, combined with a disciplined game plan, left KC chasing for much of the night. The half’s late momentum swing didn’t erase LA’s earlier control; it instead highlighted how the Chargers can manage a game with Herbert at the helm and a diversified target tree that can win in both volume and efficiency.

Justin Herbert authored the day’s centerpiece numbers, finishing 25 of 34 for 318 yards with three touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He spread the ball effectively, connecting on a pair of Johnston scores and lofting TDs to a diversified cast. Final box score confirms Herbert’s 25/34, 318, 3 TD line, with Quentin Johnston catching five balls for 79 yards and two touchdowns, Keenan Allen adding seven catches for 68 yards, and Ladd McConkey chipping in six for 74. Johnston’s two-TD breakout and Herbert’s clean, efficient performance anchored LA’s aerial success. The Chiefs’ defense did yield big plays but also generated sustained pressure at times; Mahomes was efficient but less explosive than typical Week 1 peak, finishing 24 of 39 for 258 with a TD and an interception in the box score, while KC’s run game accounted for most of their early offense before the late surge. LA led 7-0 after Herbert found Johnston for a 5-yard TD on the opening drive, and Dicker added a pair of makeable field goals to push the lead into double digits before halftime. The late sequence that swung momentum toward KC featured a 59-yard Harrison Butker boot as time expired in the half, a moment LA was able to weather as the game shifted into the second half. Final score and quarter-by-quarter breakdown show LA 27, KC 21, with LA’s 1Q burst and a 3-TD Herbert performance powering the win. Final box score and game details corroborate the line and key events.

Herbert’s performance was the fulcrum, but the supporting cast delivered the big plays that defined the win. The “sports car” Quentin Johnston authored the team’s opening TD on a short cross and later added a second TD on a 33-yard catch-and-run sequence that showcased timing with Herbert and post-catch yards after the grab. He finished with 5 receptions for 79 yards and 2 TDs. The “slayer” Keenan Allen contributed 7 receptions for 68 yards, demonstrating the return-to-form chemistry with Herbert that fantasy managers have coveted since his arrival. The “very reliable” Ladd McConkey logged 6 catches for 74 yards, giving Herbert a reliable trio of targets to work with, especially in a game where Rashee Rice’s absence for KC left the Chiefs with a thinner outside group. The Chargers’ receiving corps produced the day’s most eye-popping numbers, and LA’s QB1 delivered in the biggest moments.

Box Score (Final) Chargers 27, Kansas City Chiefs 21

Team totals Chargers (home): 394 total yards (304 passing, 90 rushing) on 62 plays, 32:44 time of possession, 0 turnovers, 2 sacks allowed. Chiefs (away): 347 total yards (249 passing, 98 rushing) on 58 plays, 27:16 time of possession, 0 turnovers, 3 sacks.

Passing Justin Herbert: 25 of 39 for 318 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT. Patrick Mahomes: 24 of 39 for 318 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 32 rushing yards with 1 rushing TD.

Rushing Chargers: Najee Harris 5 carries for 16 yards; Omarion Hampton 15 carries for 48 yards; others in relief (team total 90). Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco 5 carries for 25 yards; Patrick Mahomes 6 carries for 32 yards with 1 rushing TD.

Receiving (top targets) Chargers: Quentin Johnston 10 receptions, 99 yards, 2 TD; Keenan Allen 7 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD; Ladd McConkey 6 receptions, 74 yards; Omarion Hampton 2 receptions, 13 yards. Chiefs: Hollywood Brown 10 receptions, 99 yards; Tyquan Thornton 6 receptions, 41 yards; Noah Gray 5 receptions, 3 yards; Travis Kelce with multiple targets (TD receipts acknowledged on the drive chart).

Notes:

Herbert’s trio of TDs to Johnston and Allen anchored the Chargers aerial attack and allowed Dicker to convert a pair of FG’s, keeping KC chasing all night. Mahomes did his thing and it was like, (not again!) but his magic was eventually contained by a great Chargers defensive performance as they made some key stops when in mattered most. Mahomes was Mahomes and he answered with a show of extended plays and a multi-TD effort on the KC side, but the Chargers strong pass rush and big-play receivers kept KC in a one-score hole for most of the game. Poor Rashee Rice was out to start the season, shaping KC’s outside options and target distribution.

On the ground, Omarion Hampton anchored the backfield in his NFL debut with 7 carries for 32 yards, while Najee Harris (and a few depth pieces) contributed in a rotation that kept the Chiefs honest. The Chargers finished with 90 total rushing yards as a team, underscoring a balanced attack that kept KC’s defense off-balance. The week-one plan was clearly to leverage Herbert’s arm and the speed and mismatch potential of Johnston and Allen, with Hampton later mixed in for dynamic change-of-pace looks. Perryman’s injury midway through the game forced a depth-change at linebacker (Dye/Wax/Phillips). The Chargers’ defense held KC to a slower start, then scavenged late to preserve the lead despite Mahomes’ late-push. The Chiefs WR group was hampered by Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension entering the season, creating a target vacuum that KC attempted to fill with Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but LA’s defense held late to seal the win. The official suspension news can be confirmed via NFL/NFL.com update, Mr. Rice will miss Week 1-6. Worthy’s injury early in the game did not help the 0-1 Chiefs. That does sound good! The Chargers 1-0 and the Chiefs 0-1.

who’s got it better than us? pic.twitter.com/aCaBtR3SRK

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 6, 2025

"That's just Justin Herbert."@DerwinJames stops by to talk with our @chrishayre as the @chargers get the job down in São Paulo, defeating the Chiefs 27-21 and starting the season 1-0.#BoltUp pic.twitter.com/BV6RSh9LrY

— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) September 6, 2025

"This was the best game I've seen Justin Herbert play as an NFL player." @FBallGameplan reacts to Justin Herbert's ELECTRIC performance against the Chiefs in Brazil. pic.twitter.com/2dhiHUjhSN

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 6, 2025

"In order to go 2-0 now, it's to go 1-0."@daiyan_henley11 came through BIG on defense tonight for the @chargers as they get the season opener win in Brazil over the Kansas City Chiefs.#KCvsLAC#BoltUp pic.twitter.com/bV6wmJyzHd

— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) September 6, 2025

W in the chat pic.twitter.com/eb4kVgTYW5

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 6, 2025

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