By MATT PIKE
Justin Herbert finished off the Los Angeles Chargers’ season-opening victory in style, sliding for a first down that effectively ended the game.
The quarterback earned style points for his scramble and sideline slide that capped a 318-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 27-21 victory over the Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night in Sao Paulo. Herbert had 32 yards rushing, too.
Los Angeles’ first win over the Chiefs since Sept. 26, 2021, snapped a seven-game skid against the team that has dominated the AFC for nearly a decade.
Herbert gave the Chargers the lead in the first quarter on a five yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston. The Chiefs and Chargers exchanged field goals through the remainder of the first half, with Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker hitting field goals from 39 and 36 yards and Harrison Butker knocking field goals through from 35 and 59 yards away for a 13-6 halftime score.
Patrick Mahomes cut the lead to one to start the third quarter with an 11 yard rushing score, Butker missing the extra point, but the Chargers answered again with Herbert finding Keenan Allen for an 11 yard touchdown pass to move the Los Angeles lead to 20-12.
The Chiefs closed to 20-18 on Mahomes’ 37-yard TD pass to Kelce early in the fourth. The 2-point conversion failed as Mahomes’ pass was incomplete to Noah Gray. Herbert’s 23-yard TD pass to Johnston extended the lead to 26-18 with 5:02 remaining in the fourth with Dicker converting the point after attempt.
Harrison Butker hit a 27 yard field goal to make the score 27-21 with 2:28 left in the game. Herbert’s 19-yard run on third-and-14 dashed any comeback hopes the Chiefs had with 2:21 to play, making him just the third quarterback in Chargers history with 300 yards and three TDs in a season opener.
The Chiefs were already down two receivers to start the game, with Rashee Rice suspended to start the season and rookie Jalen Royals out with a knee injury.
They lost another one three snaps into the game. Xavier Worthy and teammate Kelce collided on a third-down pass. Worthy had to be helped off the field and was later ruled out with a right shoulder injury.
Mahomes was 24 of 39 for 258 yards, one touchdown and two sacks. Mahomes was also the leading rusher with six runs for 57 yards and a touchdown. Hollywood Brown caught 10 passes for 99 yards.
The Chiefs next host Philadelphia on Sept. 14 in a Super Bowl rematch.
