On September 5, 2025 in São Paulo, the Kansas City Chiefs opened the season with a 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena; Xavier Worthy exited with a shoulder injury on the third offensive play while Patrick Mahomes produced 315 total yards in an effort to keep Kansas City close.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Mahomes carried the offense with 315 total yards and both a rushing and passing scoring play.
- Travis Kelce made a costly play with a 37-yard touchdown on one of his two catches.
- Drue Tranquill was the defensive standout with five tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
- Trent McDuffie performed well in coverage, recording five tackles and a pass breakup.
- Special teams executed a successful 59-yard field-goal “fire drill” at the end of the first half.
- Right tackle Jawaan Taylor was flagged five times, undermining the offense.
- The running game sputtered despite Isiah Pacheco averaging 5.0 yards on five carries and catching two passes for three yards.
- Coaching and pass-rush issues left the defense vulnerable to Justin Herbert late in the game.
Verified Facts
Kansas City fell 27-21 to the Los Angeles Chargers on September 5, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil. The Chiefs lost wide receiver Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury on the team’s third offensive snap. Patrick Mahomes totaled 315 yards from scrimmage and produced both a rushing score and a touchdown pass while leading the team in rushing yards for the night.
Tight end Travis Kelce finished with two catches, including a 37-yard touchdown that provided one of the game’s biggest offensive highlights for Kansas City. Linebacker Drue Tranquill recorded five tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks, emerging as the defense’s most consistent playmaker in the contest. Cornerback Trent McDuffie added five tackles and a pass deflection while often matching up with the Chargers’ top targets.
Special teams pulled off a successful 59-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, a high-pressure sequence that required quick alignment and precise execution. However, offensive right tackle Jawaan Taylor was penalized five times, and the unit’s penalties repeatedly stalled drives. Running back Isiah Pacheco averaged 5.0 yards on five carries but received limited touches and finished with two catches for three yards.
Context & Impact
This international opener complicates the Chiefs’ early-season outlook. Long travel and the emotional contrast between a strong individual performance (Mahomes) and team shortcomings (pass rush, penalties, limited ground game) create questions about depth and preparation entering Week 2.
The pass rush produced insufficient pressure across all three levels, allowing Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert room to operate late in the game. If the deficiency reflects scheme or preparation rather than short-term variance, Kansas City will need personnel or schematic adjustments before facing the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday.
Offensively, the loss of Xavier Worthy in Week 1 increases urgency on the receiving corps and the coaching staff to manage matchups and play-calling that help the run game and reduce reliance on explosive downfield attempts. Penalties, particularly five by Jawaan Taylor, turned promising drives into missed opportunities.
Official Statements
Both Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid described the team’s slow start as a key reason for the loss, saying the Chiefs failed to match the Chargers’ early tempo and execution.
Patrick Mahomes / Andy Reid
Unconfirmed
- The long-term severity of Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury has not been announced and remains uncertain.
- It is unclear whether the weak pass rush in Week 1 reflects a roster mismatch that will persist or a one-game lapse in execution.
Bottom Line
Kansas City’s season-opener in Brazil produced notable individual efforts — most prominently from Mahomes and Tranquill — but also exposed weaknesses in pass rush, protection and situational offense that the coaching staff must address quickly. The team returns to Arrowhead Stadium next week with limited margin for early-season mistakes.