Chargers Top Chiefs in Season Opener Behind Herbert’s Heroics

Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to a 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night in São Paulo, Brazil. The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak to their AFC West rival and marked a strong start to the season.

By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer

Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to a 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night in São Paulo, Brazil. The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak to their AFC West rival and marked a strong start to the season.

Herbert Outduels Mahomes

Herbert became just the third quarterback in franchise history to record 300 yards and three touchdowns in a season opener. He completed 25 of 34 passes, was sacked three times, and sealed the game with a 19-yard scramble for a first down with 2:21 remaining.

His favorite target was Quentin Johnston, who caught a pair of touchdowns—including a 23-yard strike in the fourth quarter that gave the Chargers a 26-18 lead with 5:02 left. Johnston also hauled in a 5-yard score on the opening drive to set the tone.

Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, finished 24 of 39 for 258 yards with one touchdown and two sacks. He connected with Travis Kelce for a 37-yard score early in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 20-18, but the 2-point conversion failed.

Defense Holds Late

After Herbert’s late scramble kept the clock moving, the Chiefs had one final chance. Mahomes drove Kansas City to the Chargers’ 9-yard line, but three straight incompletions forced Harrison Butker’s 27-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 27-21 with 2:34 remaining.

The Chargers’ defense, led by Khalil Mack’s relentless pressure, held firm as Mahomes’ final attempts to rally fell short.

A Historic Stage

The game was just the NFL’s second played in South America and streamed live on YouTube, giving the league’s international fans a dramatic finish.