Justin Herbert shines as Chargers earn AFC West win in Sao Paulo

SÃO PAULO — Since Patrick Mahomes turned a starter in 2018, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have crushed up on a lot of the NFL, and maybe no crew understands what that dominance has felt like greater than the Chargers. The Chargers went into Friday night time’s sport at Corinthians Area in São Paulo on a seven-game shedding streak to Kansas Metropolis and are 3-19 of their previous 22 video games towards the Chiefs.

It wasn’t all the time a beatdown for the Chargers, and the video games had been typically determined within the ultimate minutes — or seconds — however ultimately, the Chiefs had been on high greater than not.

The paradigm shifted Friday night time.

Quarterback Justin Herbert scrambled for 19 yards on Third-and-14 within the fourth quarter to successfully finish the soccer sport and ship his teammates right into a celebrating frenzy. Herbert and the Chargers offense picked aside the Chiefs’ protection all night time with ease, and the Chargers protection slowed Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense simply sufficient to edge out a 27-21 victory.

Listed here are a very powerful issues to know from Friday night time for each groups:

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)

What to make of the QB efficiency: This can be a a lot totally different Herbert than we noticed early final season. It wasn’t till Week 6 final season that Herbert had a sport for over 200 yards, and he did not hit 300 till Week 7. Herbert hit the latter complete Friday night time, ending with 318 yards and three touchdowns. It was Herbert’s first 300-yard passing, three-touchdown sport since Week 10 towards the Detroit Lions in 2023. Friday night time’s efficiency mirrored an improved vast receiving core and a vote of confidence for offensive coordinator Greg Roman, taking part in to Herbert’s strengths.

Development to look at: Mekhi Becton‘s well being: The Chargers proper guard, L.A.’s high free agent signing, gave the impression to be exhausted all through Friday’s sport. Becton missed snaps all through the competition whereas getting oxygen on the sideline. Becton missed three weeks of coaching camp follow with an undisclosed harm and got here into Friday’s sport questionable with an sickness.

Stat to know: Keenan Allen turned the third Charger with 60 touchdowns in franchise historical past. This can be a milestone that only a yr in the past appeared like it could by no means occur, because the Chargers traded Allen to the Chicago Bears following a contract dispute. Allen ran an out route Friday night time that left him vast open ultimately zone late within the third quarter for an 11-yard landing catch. — Kris Rhim

Subsequent sport: at Las Vegas Raiders (10 p.m. ET, Sept. 15)

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (0-1)

Even when the circumstances had been dire, Mahomes nonetheless created magic, discovering receiver Hollywood Brown for a 49-yard completion on fourth-and-7 with lower than 4 minutes remaining. Kansas Metropolis stayed alive with a discipline objective to chop the deficit to 27-21 however couldn’t get a cease when it mattered on the next possession.

The loss was the Chiefs’ first regular-season defeat overseas. Previous to Friday, the Chiefs had been undefeated in worldwide video games beneath coach Andy Reid, profitable video games in London, Mexico Metropolis and Frankfurt, Germany.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Within the second half, Mahomes was as soon as once more requested to placed on a superhero efficiency. With out Xavier Worthy, who left early with an harm, Mahomes used each little bit of moxie and willpower to present the Chiefs a chance within the fourth quarter. Mahomes’ second-half efficiency — ending with 160 passing yards and one other 42 yards on the bottom — ignited the Chiefs’ offense after a lackluster begin.

Within the third quarter, security Derwin James Jr. was an unblocked blitzer and utilized fast strain on Mahomes, who was pressured to scramble up into the pocket. After James tried to make a shoestring deal with in the midst of the pocket, Mahomes had the presence of thoughts — whereas his physique was parallel to the turf — to flip the ball ahead to receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a essential conversion on third-and-5 snap close to midfield. Mahomes completed the drive with an ideal intermediate cross to proper finish Travis Kelce, who scored on a simple 37-yard landing reception.

Turning level: With 12 minutes left, the Chiefs appeared to have momentum following the second consecutive landing drive. All of the Chiefs protection wanted to do was get one cease to present Mahomes an opportunity to guide his crew to a game-winning drive. As an alternative, the Chargers took seven minutes off the clock with a methodical, 11-play drive the place Herbert accomplished all eight of his passes, a lot of them in the midst of the sector. The rationale was easy: Herbert and his two finest receivers, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, exploited the Chiefs’ poor play from safeties Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks. Herbert completed the Chargers’ possession with a 23-yard landing strike to receiver Quentin Johnston, who beat Hicks on a one-on-one matchup. The rating gave the Chargers a 27-18 lead from which Kansas Metropolis couldn’t get better.

Stat to know: Getting into Friday’s sport, the Chiefs had received 17 consecutive one-score video games, a league document. Herbert was wonderful within the second half, permitting the Chargers to maintain their lead regardless of Mahomes’ rallying efforts. Within the second half, Herbert accomplished 13 of his 16 cross makes an attempt for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs blitzed Herbert typically, sacking him twice, however the quarterback sealed the victory for the Chargers when he scrambled to his proper for a 19-yard achieve on a third-and-14 snap simply earlier than the two-minute warning. — Nate Taylor

Subsequent sport: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 14)