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The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs brought some wild, wild, AFC West play to Brazil on Friday night, but the Chargers and Justin Herbert were left standing when the dust settled.
The Chargers downed their divisional rivals 27-21 in the international affair, notching an impressive victory for Jim Harbaugh's squad in South America.
While Los Angeles offensive coordinator Greg Roman is largely known for his run-heavy offense, it was Herbert's arm that proved to be the difference in the matchup. Accurate, poised and on time throughout the night, Herbert finished the matchup 25-of-34 passing for 318 yards and three touchdowns in the affair.
Wide receiver Quentin Johnston was the recipient of two of those touchdown passes, with Keenan Allen securing another in his return to the Chargers after a year with the Chicago Bears.
On the other sideline, the Chiefs made it a game late as they are accustomed to doing, but it wasn't enough. Hurting their chances was losing second-year receiver Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury early in the tilt, taking away a top target for Patrick Mahomes.
USA TODAY Sports will provided live updates, highlights and more from the international matchup below. All times are Eastern.
Justin Herbert scrambles for first down, secures win for Chargers
Of course, it was Justin Herbert.
Herbert, who was a menace to the Chiefs defense with his arm, Herbert secured the game with a 19-yard scramble in third-and-14 for a first down to put the Chargers in victory formation.
The win ends the Chiefs' winning streak over the Chargers, and it should give Los Angeles a bit of confidence that they can knock the Chiefs off their AFC West pedestal this season.
Chiefs pull to within a score with Harrison Butker field goal
Kansas City's offense had a few good looks at the end zone with under three minutes left in the game, but couldn't convert. Instead, Harrison Butker kicks a field goal to bring the Chiefs to within a touchdown with time ticking down in the fourth and all three timeouts remaining.
Chargers 27, Chiefs 21
Patrick Mahomes makes magic with fourth-down throw
Because, well, of course, right?
On a fourth-and-7 with time ticking down in the fourth quarter, Mahomes was under instant pressure from Khalil Mack, rolled to his right and uncorked a missile down the field to Hollywood Brown for the first down.
Justin Herbert finds Quentin Johnston for TD to lengthen lead
The Chargers answered the Chiefs in a big way, with the Chargers marching down the field on the arm of Justin Herbert. Herbert would find Quentin Johnston for a touchdown to give the Chargers an 8-point lead. Cameron Dicker would nail the extra point for a 9-point lead.
Chargers 27, Chiefs 18
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift's fiancé, scores first TD of season
He was trouble for the Chargers defense when he walked in.
On a beautifully designed played, the Mahomes-Kelce partnership was rekindled with a 37-yard touchdown catch and run. Mahomes wouldn't be able to convert the 2-point conversion, so it's still the Chargers with the lead.
Chargers 20, Chiefs 18
Chargers take 8-point lead with Herbert-to-Allen touchdown
The Keenan Allen-Justin Herbert connection is rekindled. The Chargers passer found Allen in the end zone for an easy touchdown a play after he missed a connection with Quentin Johnston.
Chargers 13, Chiefs 12: Mahomes runs it in but Butker can't tie the game
Kansas City marched 80 yards over 11 plays to get their first touchdown of the night in Corinthians Arena. An unnecessary roughness call on Chargers' Teair Tart set the Chiefs up at the Chargers' 11-yard line and Patrick Mahomes called his own number on a scramble past the goal line.
Harrison Butker missed the extra point, though, and the Chargers hold on to a one-point lead with 8:05 to go in the third quarter.
Chargers punt on opening drive of the second half
Los Angeles started the second half with the ball but could only manage one yard of offense before punting back to the Chiefs. Kansas City took over on its own 20-yard line looking to score for the third time tonight.
Chargers 13, Chiefs 6: Butker knocks through FG as half expires
Kansas City had just 45 seconds to score and nearly ran out of time after tight end Noah Gray didn't stop the clock on a three-yard catch on 3rd and 20. The Chiefs' special teams unit made it on the field in time for Harrison Butker to attempt a 59-yard field goal and he knocked it through to make it a seven-point game at halftime.
Chargers 13, Chiefs 3: Dicker makes second FG of the night
Los Angeles came away with points once again in the second quarter after a 12-play, 47-yard drive. A delay of game penalty forced a 3rd and 16 for the Chargers' offense and running back Omarion Hampton could only gain eight yards. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker knocked through a 36-yard field goal to give Los Angeles a two-score lead late in the first half.
Kansas City will receive the kickoff with 45 seconds to go until halftime.
Two minute warning: Chargers' offense driving
Los Angeles has put together a five-play, 34-yard drive over the last three minutes to cross midfield. They'll face 1st and 10 from the Chiefs' 31-yard line with two minutes to go in the first half.
The Chargers will receive the second-half kickoff.
Chargers 10, Chiefs 3: Sack on 3rd and goal forces Harrison Butker FG
Kansas City's offense put together their best drive of the night with a 16-play, 49-yard drive that spanned nearly nine minutes of game time in the second quarter. Two key fourth-down conversions kept the drive alive for the Chiefs as they got as close as the Chargers' 9-yard line but couldn't get any further.
Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley sacked Patrick Mahomes on 3rd and goal to force the Chiefs to kick a field goal. Harrison Butker nailed it from 35 yards out to get Kansas City on the board or the first time tonight.
Xavier Worthy ruled out
The Chiefs' second-year wide receiver collided with tight end Travis Kelce on Kansas City's first drive of the game and headed to the locker room with a shoulder injury. He was questionable to return but he's now ruled out for the rest of tonight's game against the Chargers.
Chargers 10, Chiefs 0: Cameron Dicker knocks through 39-yard FG
Back-to-back holding penalties pushed the Chargers outside of the red zone and Los Angeles made it back to the Chiefs' 21. The Chargers brought out the kicking unit and Cameron Dicker hit his first field goal of the 2025 season from 39 yards out.
Los Angeles will kick the ball back to the Kansas City offense with 13:47 left in the second quarter.
End of the 1st quarter: Chargers 7, Chiefs 0
Los Angeles has had the upper hand so far in the season opener. The Chargers outgained the Chiefs 145 yards to 33 with seven first downs and the lone score of the game. Kansas City has more punts (three) than first downs (two) so far tonight.
The Chargers will face 1st and 30 from the Chiefs' 35-yard line to start the second quarter.
Is Najee Harris playing tonight?
Yes. The Chargers' depth chart lists the veteran running back as the top player at the position but it's been all Omarion Hampton so far tonight. The rookie has four of the team's five rushing attempts (Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has the other).
Harris had his first snap with 13 seconds to go in the first quarter, a scramble by Herbert which was ultimately called back by a penalty.
Mahomes can't find Tyquan Thornton on deep shot, Chiefs punt again
Facing 3rd and 9 following a one-yard run by Kareem Hunt, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fired a deep shot down the right sideline to wide receiver Tyquan Thornton but it was slightly overthrown and fell incomplete.
Kansas City punted once again and the Chargers' offense takes over at their own 21-yard line late in the first quarter.
Chiefs stonewall Hampton on 3rd down to force first Chargers punt
The Chargers' top rookie, running back Omarion Hampton, couldn't get past Kansas City linebacker Drue Tranquill on 3rd and 2 from the Chargers' 10-yard line. Los Angeles settled for their first punt of the game and Kansas City will take over at its own 42 with 4:28 left in the first quarter.
Hollywood Brown drops pass, Chiefs punt once again
Kansas City's offense moved the chains multiple times but two incompletions forced another punt. Hollywood Brown was open near the first-down marker but couldn't hold on for the catch on 3rd and 9.
The Chiefs' punting unit pinned the Chargers' offense deep and Los Angeles will take over at their own 2-yard line.
Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy heading to locker room
The Chiefs' top wide receiver tonight was slow to get up after making contact with tight end Travis Kelce. He's been diagnosed with a shoulder injury and he is questionable to return after heading off the field and to the locker room.
Chargers strike first with Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston TD
It didn't take long for the Chargers to get on the board. LA marched down the field in the wake of the Chiefs three-and-out and capped off the scoring drive with a Herbert-to-Johnston TD pass. Cameron Dicker added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead.
Chargers 7, Chiefs 0
Chiefs start on offense with a quick three-and-out
The Chargers won the coin toss and opted to defer, giving the Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes the ball first. Kansas City gained just six yards and had to punt.
Where to watch Chiefs vs. Chargers Brazil game
- Live stream: YouTube
The Friday night Brazil matchup between the Chiefs and Chargers is set to stream live, for free, on YouTube.
Chiefs vs. Chargers Brazil game TV channel
- Kansas City market: KSHB 41
- Los Angeles market: KNBC 4
Those in the Kansas City and LA markets can tune to their local NBC station to watch the game.
Chiefs vs. Chargers Brazil game start time
- Start time: 8 p.m.
The Chiefs and Chargers are set for kick off at 8 p.m. on Friday night.
Chargers vs. Chiefs live odds, moneyline, over/under
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Chiefs vs. Chargers prediction
Everyone says the Chiefs aren't the same team, but maybe they are. Patrick Mahomes is still around, Isiah Pacheco is healthy, Xavier Worthy is ready for a bigger role, Travis Kelce is motivated. Don't discount the presence of Hollywood Brown.
Even if Mekhi Becton plays, the Chargers are in trouble as the offensive line depth gets tested. Justin Herbert's legs won't be enough to get a victory in Brazil and the Chiefs remind everyone they are still the kings of the AFC until proven otherwise. – Nick Brinkerhoff
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Chargers 16
Is Taylor Swift at the Chiefs game tonight?
Swift's attendance for the Chiefs game against the Chargers has not been confirmed for Friday night.
It may not seem like a big deal, but Kelce's fiancée's attendance seems to indicate a trend in his performance over the last two seasons. The star tight end seems to get a boost when Swift is around, but it is notably that she missed both games against the rival Chargers in 2024.
Chargers inactives vs. Chiefs
Much of the Chargers' rookie class is inactive for tonight's season opener in Kansas City. Rookie tight ends Oronde Gadsden and Tucker Fisk are among the seven players inactive tonight which means the Chargers will have just two players at the position against the Chiefs.
Chiefs inactives vs. Chargers
No real surprises on the Chiefs inactives list for Friday night. Rookie wideout Jalen Royals will have to make his debut at a later time as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
NFL international games 2025
There are a total of seven international games being played on the NFL slate this season. They are as follows:
Week 1: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- WHERE: Corinthians Arena (São Paulo, Brazil)
- WHEN: Sept. 5
- HOW TO WATCH: YouTube
Week 4: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- WHERE: Croke Park (Dublin, Ireland)
- WHEN: Sept. 28 | 9:30 a.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: NFL Network
Week 5: Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
- WHERE: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, U.K.)
- WHEN: Oct. 5 | 9:30 a.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: NFL Network
Week 6: Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
- WHERE: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, U.K.)
- WHEN: Oct. 12 | 9:30 a.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: NFL Network
Week 7: Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- WHERE: Wembley Stadium (London, U.K.)
- WHEN: Oct. 19 | 9:30 a.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: NFL Network
Week 10: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts
- WHERE: Olympic Stadium (Berlin, Germany)
- WHEN: Nov. 9 | 9:30 a.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: NFL Network
Week 11: Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins
- WHERE: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid, Spain)
- WHEN: Nov. 16 | 9:30 a.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: NFL Network
Catch NFL international games with Fubo (free trial)
Karol G performing at NFL Brazil halftime show
The NFL announced on Aug. 14 that Karol G will perform the halftime show at the Chiefs vs. Chargers game. The international pop star expressed excitement about being part of the event, which will be broadcast on YouTube.
"I'm so excited to be part of YouTube’s first-ever NFL live broadcast, it’s truly an honor and a moment I’m so proud to be part of," Karol G said in a statement.
Karol G has eight videos on her YouTube channel with over 1 billion views. She has 40.4 million followers on the platform, making her a natural choice for YouTube's first NFL halftime entertainment. – Jacob Camenker
Is Rashee Rice playing tonight?
Rice will not be playing tonight in the Chiefs' game against the Chargers in Brazil. The third-year wide receiver is out of the lineup for the 17th consecutive game dating back to last season and including the playoffs.
Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges on July 17 in connection to that high-speed crash in March 2024. The two charges were collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He'll be out for the first six games of the season. – Ayrton Ostly
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Herbert, Chargers hold off Chiefs, secure wild win in Brazil: Highlights
Reporting by Joe Rivera and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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