The last time Justin Herbert and the Chargers beat the Chiefs in the regular season was in 2021, when he threw four touchdowns and carried the team with ease. What came after was a nightmare: a 0-7 skid. Herbert missed one game, but in the six losses he played, he threw 10 touchdowns, five interceptions, and was sacked 17 times– a result of shaky protection amid Kansas City’s relentless pressure. They lost All-Pro left tackle Rashawn Slater to injury, too, and no blindside wall meant no chance. Fast forward to Week 1 in São Paulo and the Chargers flipped that script with a 27-21 win.

In Week 1, Herbert finally had room to operate: 318 yards, three passing touchdowns, and no interceptions. The difference came from Joe Alt. Rather than reshuffling veterans, Jim Harbaugh entrusted the

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