Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs started the 2025 season on the wrong foot, dropping a 27-21 decision to the Los Angeles Chargers in an International Series game in São Paulo, Brazil, starting the season 0-1 for the second time in three seasons.
The Chargers won the coin toss and deferred, putting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense on the field to start the game. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton took the ball near the Chiefs’ five-yard line and returned the ball near midfield. Unfortunately, a holding penalty would see the Chiefs starting the international contest at the 25.
The Chiefs would start the season with a three-and-out with two short runs by Isiah Pacheco and Xavier Worthy before Mahomes was incomplete to Worthy on third down. The second year wideout also appeared injured on the play with his shoulder receiving attention. Matt Araiza came on for a 40-yard punt to start the Chargers at their own 38-yard line.
The Chargers marched the field with little resistance from the Chiefs defense. On their second play of the drive, quarterback Justin Herbert connected with receiver Quintin Johnston for a 33-yard gain. Five plays later, the Chiefs appeared to have stopped the Chargers on third down at the ten-yard line. An offsides call against George Karlaftis, however, gave Herbert a second chance, and he found Johnston for the short score. Cameron Dicker’s extra point opened the scoring at Chargers 7, Chiefs 0.
After a touchback, the Chiefs started on their on 35-yard line. Two familiar plays — a Mahomes scramble and a toss to Travis Kelce — quickly put Kansas City into Charger territory. Their drive would unfortunately stall near midfield after rookie Josh Simmons’ first penalty. Mahomes missed Thornton deep, before Hollywood Brown dropped a perfect punt. Araiza was able to pin the Chargers deep at their own two-yard line to start their next drive.
The Chiefs held the Chargers to a three-and-out with Herbert under heavy pressure from rookie Ashton Gillotte in the end zone on a first down throw. Punter JK Scott got the ball off from his own end zone, and return man Nikko Remigio took it at the Kansas City 33. Remigio would return the ball to the Chiefs’ 42-yard line to start the team’s third offensive drive.
Kansas City’s offensive woes continued with another three-and-out with only a one-yard gain by running back Kareem Hunt. Araiza could not pin the Chargers as deep this time, with a fair catch starting the drive at the Charger 20-yard line.
The Chargers quickly marched the field inside the red zone with minimal resistance from the Chiefs. They did find resistance, however, from the officiating crew with a pair of holding calls on consecutive plays after advancing to the 15-yard line. The first quarter came to an end with Los Angeles facing first-and-30 from the Kansas City 35-yard line.
The Chiefs held the Chargers in check, and Dicker came out for a successful 39-yard field goal to...
