The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil by a final score of 27-21, thanks to a 318-yard, three-touchdown performance by LA quarterback Justin Herbert. He also had 33 rushing yards, including a game-clinching 19-yard scramble in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers got things going with a 33-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver Quentin Johnston, setting the Bolts up deep in Kansas City’s territory. Though the Chiefs held Los Angeles on a 3rd and 8, that stop was nullified by an offsides penalty. On the very next play, Johnston caught a five-yard touchdown pass to give LA a 7-0 lead. He finished the game with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
KC struggled early against the NFL’s top-ranked scoring from last season. They punted on their first three possessions while going 0 for 3 on third-down attempts. It also didn’t help that second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy left the game with a shoulder injury.
LA tight end Tyler Conklin was a crucial part of the Chargers’ third series. The former New York Jet caught two passes for 50 yards to close out the first quarter. However, the promising drive sputtered out after Los Angeles committed back-to-back holding penalties, forcing the Bolts to settle for a 39-yard field goal and a 10-0 advantage.
The Chiefs finally gained some momentum when running back Kareem Hunt converted two different fourth-down attempts to get to the Chargers’ 26 yard line. But that drive tapered out after quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a sack, leading to a 35-yard field goal to cut Los Angeles’ lead to 10-3. That 16-play series would’ve been the longest drive the Chargers allowed all season in 2024.
LA wideout Ladd McConkey continued to build on his fantastic rookie campaign from last year. He had six receptions in the game for 74 yards, including two catches for 32 yards on the second-to-last drive before halftime, allowing the Chargers to hit another field goal and extend their lead to 13-3.
Though the offense got the ball back with 45 seconds left in the half, Kansas City took advantage of the time it had, thanks to a 38-yard reception by wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. This resulted in a 59-yard fire drill-style field goal by the Chiefs as time expired to make it a 13-6 game at the break.
KC put together a 13-play, 86-yard drive in the third quarter that was capped off with an 11-yard touchdown run by Patrick Mahomes, who led the Chiefs with 57 rushing yards in the game. Unfortunately for Kansas City, kicker Harrison Buter missed the extra point attempt, allowing the Chargers to hold onto a 13-12 lead. KC recorded three third-down conversions on that drive. Prior to that, they were 0/7 on third-down attempts.
Los Angeles’ rushing attack came alive towards the end of the third quarter. The Chargers picked up 31 of their 90 ground yards on their second possession of the half. That led to Justin Herbert’s second touchdown pass of the evening to put LA up 20-12 heading into the fourth quarter. That TD was hauled in by wideout Keenan Allen, his 60th career receiving touchdown in a Chargers uniform.
The Chiefs responded with a 37-yard TD pass to tight end Travis Kelce. But, Kansas City failed to tie the game after missing on the two-point conversion attempt, so the Chargers remained ahead 20-18.
Justin Herbert wasn’t satisfied with a two-point lead. He orchestrated a phenomenal 13-play, 74-yard touchdown drive where he completed all eight of his pass attempts to put the Chargers ahead by a score of 27-18 with 5:02 remaining in the game.
The Chiefs wouldn’t go away quietly, though. Faced with a 4th and 7 from their own 42 yard line, Patrick Mahomes connected with wide receiver Hollywood Brown for a 49-yard pass to get to the Chargers’ 11 yard line. That resulted in a Harrison Butker field goal to make it 27-21 with 2:36 to go.
From there, the Chargers got the ball and never gave it back. Justin Herbert once again played the role of the hero by scrambling for 19 yards on a 3rd and 14 to secure the win.
With the loss, the Chiefs’ record of 17 consecutive wins in one-score games came to an end. Before tonight, Kansas City’s last loss in a one-score game came on December 25th, 2023 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs will be back home next week, where they will play host to the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LIX. The following night, the Chargers will be on the road, going against the Raiders.
*Author’s note: all information and statistics are tracked in real time and are provided by the game’s broadcaster, NFL.com, and ESPN.com*
