Justin Herbert delivered a statement performance as the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in their NFL season opener, played in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The star quarterback threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, guiding his team to their first win over Kansas City since September 2021 and sending a message that the Chargers could be serious contenders this year.
The game was part of the NFL’s continuing expansion into international markets, with Sao Paulo hosting only its second-ever league clash. The crowd inside Corinthians Arena witnessed a thrilling contest between two AFC West rivals, featuring explosive plays from both Herbert and Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes.
Herbert wasted no time in asserting control. He connected early with young wide receiver Quentin Johnston for a touchdown, helping the Chargers build a 10-0 advantage. The Chiefs responded through Mahomes, who found the end zone himself to cut the deficit, though kicker Harrison Butker failed to convert the extra point that would have tied the game at 13-13. That miss proved costly as momentum began to swing back towards Los Angeles.
In the third quarter, Herbert linked up with veteran wideout Keenan Allen for a perfectly executed score, stretching the Chargers’ lead to 20-12. Kansas City refused to fade, with Mahomes leaning on tight end Travis Kelce to narrow the margin heading into the final period. Yet Herbert, showing poise and accuracy under pressure, delivered the decisive blow. Once again, it was Johnston on the receiving end, as the sophomore wide receiver capped off a breakout night with his second touchdown of the contest.
Mahomes finished with 258 passing yards and a touchdown, but admitted afterwards that his side had been outplayed. “They came out with more energy than we did,” he said. “I missed some throws and we didn’t execute the way we needed to, especially in the first half.”
Herbert, by contrast, downplayed his own heroics. “[It was] just another game for us,” he insisted. “We came out here, executed, did what we needed to.” But Chargers fans will know this was more than just another game — it was a crucial psychological breakthrough against the reigning AFC powerhouse, and a statement that Los Angeles’ long-maligned roster might finally be ready to challenge at the highest level.
With Herbert in command, Johnston emerging, and Allen continuing to provide reliable production, the Chargers’ offense looked sharp and balanced. And if they can build on this momentum, their opening win in Brazil could mark the start of something significant in the 2024 season.
