Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns and led a clock-consuming fourth-quarter drive as the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in the season opener held in Brazil on Sept. 5, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Chargers defeated Chiefs 27-21 in an international season opener in Brazil.
- Justin Herbert completed 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards and three TDs.
- Quentin Johnston had two TD catches; Keenan Allen added an 11-yard score.
- Herbert’s 19-yard designed run on third-and-13 late sealed the clock and the win.
- Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and a TD and ran for 57 yards and a rushing TD.
- Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made 35- and 59-yard FGs but missed an extra point.
- Chargers outgained Kansas City 394 to 347; nine Chargers receivers caught passes.
- Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy left with a shoulder injury on the third play; status unconfirmed.
Verified Facts
Herbert finished 25-of-34 for 318 yards and three touchdown passes. He connected on scoring throws of 5 and 23 yards to Quentin Johnston and an 11-yard touchdown to Keenan Allen. Johnston caught five passes for 79 yards, the team’s leading receiver on the night.
Late in the fourth quarter, with Kansas City closing the gap to 27-21, Herbert orchestrated an 11-play, 74-yard drive that consumed 7:02. On that series he was a perfect 8-for-8 for 73 yards and capped the march with a 23-yard TD to Johnston with 5:02 remaining.
With the Chiefs out of timeouts and the score 27-21, the Chargers faced a third-and-13 from their own 34 with 2:14 left. Herbert scrambled on a designed run for 19 yards and slid to preserve the clock, allowing Los Angeles to run out the remaining time and deny Patrick Mahomes a final possession.
Mahomes completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to Travis Kelce. He also rushed six times for 57 yards and scored on an 11-yard scramble. Baltimore-bound wide receiver Hollywood Brown (reported as ‘Hollywood Brown’ in coverage) finished with 10 catches for 99 yards.
Kicker Harrison Butker converted field goals from 35 and 59 yards but missed a third-quarter extra point. Kansas City’s two-point conversion attempt was thwarted when Teair Tart knocked away Mahomes’ pass, a play that left the Chiefs trailing by two scores.
Context & Impact
This game was the Chargers’ season opener played overseas in Brazil after they gave up a home game to the Chiefs. Winning a high-profile matchup on neutral ground provides an early boost for Los Angeles and a statement of capability for Herbert and his offense.
For Kansas City, the loss highlights areas to address: defensive stops late in the game, special-teams execution after a missed extra point, and depth at wide receiver after Xavier Worthy left with a shoulder injury on the third play.
Early-season injuries and a narrow margin of victory mean both teams will be closely evaluating film and medical reports this week. The Chargers’ ability to distribute the ball — nine receivers were targeted — suggests multiple offensive looks that opponents must prepare for going forward.
Official Statements
Team and league representatives provided postgame comments and said official injury updates and detailed statements will be released through the clubs’ communications channels.
Chargers & Chiefs communications
Unconfirmed
- The long-term severity and official diagnosis of Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury were not released immediately after the game.
- Any roster or depth-chart changes related to the injury had not been formally announced at the time of publication.
Bottom Line
The Chargers delivered a signature early-season road-style win in an international setting as Herbert’s passing and timely running play were decisive. Kansas City remained competitive but will need to correct late-game defensive lapses and monitor injury status for key receivers.