The AFC West promises to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL this year, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ battle to maintain their stranglehold on it begins in the unfamiliar surrounds of Corinthians Arena in São Paulo.
Both the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers have made the long trip south for the second regular-season game to be held in Brazil, following the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers last season.
For the Chiefs, it is a substantial early test as they look to rebound from their blowout loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl 59, which saw their dreams of a three-peat emphatically dashed.
The Chargers are the designated home team, and they will hoping to take another step forward this season after Jim Harbaugh led them back to the playoffs in his first year as head coach in 2024.
A Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans illustrated the progress still required for the Chargers to make the jump from playoff contender to the elite, and their moves in the offseason were focused on putting star quarterback Justin Herbert in a better position to take them to new heights.
The interior offensive line was revamped with the additions of center Bradley Bozeman and guard Mekhi Becton, who helped Philadelphia defeat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, while their first two picks in the draft were spent on running back Omarion Hampton and wide receiver Tre Harris.
Hampton’s debut in particular will be closely watched, with the 22nd overall pick under pressure to hit the ground running and take much of the pressure off Herbert by facilitating the ball control style of offense preferred by Harbaugh.
This matchup will be billed as a compelling battle between Herbert and Mahomes, who each represent the archetypal modern day quarterback, possessing both the ability to make every throw from inside and outside the structure of the offense and make an impact with their legs.
Herbert is 2-7 against Mahomes and the Chiefs in his career and has not tasted success against Kansas City since a 30-24 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 3 of the 2021 campaign.
Yet for all the hype around the quarterback matchup, the decisive factor is likely to be the two offensive lines. The Chargers have a weak spot at right tackle after two-time Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon, forcing Los Angeles to promote Trey Pipkins.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have reworked the left side of their line in the wake of a Super Bowl loss that saw Mahomes sacked a career-high six times by a ferocious Eagles defensive line.
Left tackle Josh Simmons has impressed in preseason after being taken 32nd overall in this year’s draft, while Kingsley Suamataia has big shoes to fill at left guard, taking the spot of veteran Joe Thuney, who was traded to the Chicago Bears.
The location of this season opener throws up several variables in terms of travel and the condition of the field, which received criticism after the game between the Packers and Eagles.
But, as the Chargers look to end the Chiefs’ recent dominance of their rivalry, the outcome may prove to be a question of which O-Line group copes better with the offseason changes up front.
In terms of injuries, the Chiefs have ruled out rookie wide receiver Jaylen Royals because of a knee issue, but Chargers running back Najee Harris is good to go after recovery from an injury to his eye suffered in a fireworks incident.
Prediction for Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a young and talented secondary that can make life difficult for Mahomes, and in veteran Khalil Mack and the ascending Tuli Tuipulotu, they have pass rushers who can hurt him.
Yet with Steve Spagnuolo calling the plays for a Kansas City defense that has provided increasingly impressive support to Mahomes in recent years, it seems likely that Herbert will have the more challenging evening, especially with Slater reduced to the role of spectator.
Prediction: Chiefs 24-17 Chargers
How to watch Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers
Friday’s game will be shown exclusively on YouTube and YouTube TV. Kickoff is at 8pm ET.
