— In São Paulo at Corinthians Arena, Justin Herbert led the Los Angeles Chargers to a 27-21 season-opening victory over the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns while a stingy Chargers defense limited the Chiefs’ comeback attempts.
Key Takeaways
- Justin Herbert passed for 318 yards and three TDs and sealed a late first down with a 19-yard scramble on third-and-14.
- Quentin Johnston caught two touchdown passes (5 and 23 yards), finishing with five catches for 79 yards.
- The Chargers snapped a multi-year losing streak to Kansas City, recording their first win over the Chiefs since 2021.
- Kansas City converted a 59-yard field goal as time expired after a late free kick opportunity created by a Chargers stoppage.
- Rookie RB Omarion Hampton ran out of bounds with 54 seconds left, a coaching error Harbaugh later acknowledged.
- Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy left on the third snap with a shoulder injury after colliding with Travis Kelce.
- The NFL streamed the game free on YouTube for the first time, expanding the matchup’s global audience.
Verified Facts
The Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in the NFL’s second-ever regular-season game held in the Southern Hemisphere. Herbert compiled 318 passing yards with three touchdown passes, and his late 19-yard scramble on third-and-14 with just over two minutes remaining preserved the lead and allowed the Chargers to run out the clock.
Quentin Johnston accounted for both Chargers touchdown receptions — a 5-yard score and a 23-yard catch in the fourth quarter — finishing with five catches for 79 yards. The performance marked a notable bounce-back for Johnston, the 2023 first-round pick who struggled early in his career.
Kansas City responded late with a 59-yard field goal as the clock expired, a sequence made possible after Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton ran out of bounds on third down with 54 seconds left. Coach Jim Harbaugh later said that coaches failed to remind Hampton to stay in bounds in that situation.
The Chiefs also lost wide receiver Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury on the third snap of the game following a collision with Travis Kelce. The extent of Worthy’s injury was not immediately detailed by the team.
Context & Impact
The win is significant for the Chargers: it ends a seven-game losing streak against Kansas City and gives Los Angeles early momentum as the team opens a season that starts with three straight division games. The Chargers travel to Las Vegas in Week 2 and return home to face Denver in Week 3.
For the Chiefs, the loss highlights ongoing vulnerability despite their reputation for late comebacks — Kansas City led the league with 11 come-from-behind wins last season and had previously set a mark with 17 straight one-score games. Losing a playmaker like Worthy and failing to close out a game will be areas of focus.
- Broadcasting: The NFL’s free YouTube stream broadened global access and increased the international spotlight on the matchup.
- Team morale: Chargers players and coaches framed the result as an important, but single, step in a long season.
Official Statements
“Just overall toughness. I mean, just a complete stalwart. He took some big hits, gave a few shots himself.”
Jim Harbaugh, Chargers head coach
“When you don’t come out and play with the right mindset, you get beat. The Chargers came out with the right mindset and we didn’t, so they beat us.”
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback
Unconfirmed
- Reports and social-media buzz suggested pop star Taylor Swift might attend; there was no verified confirmation she was at Corinthians Arena.
- Immediate prognosis for Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury was not announced by the Chiefs at game time.
Bottom Line
The Chargers’ 27-21 victory in São Paulo showcased Justin Herbert’s leadership and a strengthened defensive effort, delivering an early-season signature win over the defending AFC champions. While encouraging for Los Angeles, the result is one game in a long season; both teams enter Week 2 with questions about injuries and consistency to address.