Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers could open the 2025 season in Brazil against several strong opponents from 2024, including the Vikings and Commanders.
Early Wednesday morning, the NFL announced that the Chargers will be the designated home team for the second-ever game played in Brazil at Sao Paolo’s Arena Carinthians. The Eagles hosted the Packers in the first-ever game there to begin the 2024 season as Philly beat Green Bay by a score of 34-29.
The matchup was one of the best during that opening weekend as it pitted two 2023 playoff teams against each other. This year, with the Bolts now set to host, it wouldn’t be surprised to see the NFL attempt to do the same thing by pitting another 2024 playoff team against them in Brazil.
There are two teams that fit his criteria that I believe would give the NFL the best product possible. The first would be the Washington Commanders who are coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship Game behind the efforts of star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. After seeing how wildly successful he was in his first professional season, why wouldn’t the NFL want to see if he can keep up his stellar momentum against one of the best defensive teams from the 2024 season?
Last season, a team from the NFC East won this game and used that momentum en route to winning the Lombardi Trophy. Could history find a way to repeat itself in 2025?
The other team I think would be a ton of fun — and also a ratings booster thanks to their loyal fan base — would be the Minnesota Vikings. They’re coming off a 15-win season, although the dream season did end abruptly in the wild card round against the Rams. Still, they’re an exciting team with a top-two receiver in the NFL (Justin Jefferson), the reigning Coach of the Year in Kevin O’Connell, and may have JJ McCarthy (Jim Harbaugh’s prized pupil) as their starting quarterback. That’s a lot to love without even mentioning the star power and storylines that would be brought to the table by the Chargers.
The last time these two teams met, they were both winless in Week Three of the 2023 season. That game was an instant-classic in which Justin Herbert put on a masterclass against the blitz en route to escaping with a narrow 28-24 victory thanks to a game-winning interception at the goal line.
Over the years, both of these teams have become accustomed to playing in close, one-score games. If that tradition holds, the NFL could have another phenomenal game on its hands with plenty of suspense and excitement. What else could they want to begin a new season?
The Chargers could feasibly host one of their AFC West rivals, but that just doesn’t seem like the path they’ll go unless they want to milk the potential Pete Carroll-Jim Harbaugh matchup with the Raiders....
