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 overwhelmed up on a lot of the NFL, and maybe no group understands what that dominance has felt like greater than the Chargers. The Chargers went into Friday evening's recreation at Corinthians Enviornment in São Paulo on a seven-game dropping streak to Kansas Metropolis and are 3-19 of their previous 22 video games towards the Chiefs.

It wasn't at all times a beatdown for the Chargers, and the video games have been usually determined within the closing minutes — or seconds — however ultimately, the Chiefs have been on prime most of the time.

The paradigm shifted Friday evening.

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

Listed here are crucial issues to know from Friday evening for each groups:

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)

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

Pattern to look at: Mekhi Becton's well being: The Chargers proper guard, L.A.'s prime free agent signing, gave the impression to be exhausted all through Friday's recreation. Becton missed snaps all through the competition whereas getting oxygen on the sideline. Becton missed three weeks of coaching camp observe with an undisclosed damage and got here into Friday's recreation 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 will by no means occur, because the Chargers traded Allen to the Chicago Bears following a contract dispute. Allen ran an out route Friday evening that left him large open ultimately zone late within the third quarter for an 11-yard landing catch. — Kris Rhim

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

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (0-1)

Even when the circumstances have 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 have been undefeated in worldwide video games beneath coach Andy Reid, profitable contests 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 damage, Mahomes used each little bit of moxie and dedication to offer 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 speedy strain on Mahomes, who was compelled to scramble up into the pocket. After James tried to make a shoestring deal with in the course 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 close to midfield. Mahomes completed the drive with an ideal intermediate move 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 offer Mahomes an opportunity to steer his group to a game-winning drive. As a substitute, 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 course 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: Coming into Friday's recreation, the Chiefs had gained 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 move makes an attempt for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs blitzed Herbert usually, 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 recreation: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Sept. 14)