Chiefs’ ‘concerning defense’ exposed as Justin Herbert outshines Patrick Mahomes in Brazil opener | NFL News

Los Angeles beat Kansas City 27-21 in São Paulo on Sept. 5, snapping a seven-game slide vs. the Chiefs and ending Kansas City’s 17-game one-score win streak. Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns and sealed it with a 19-yard scramble late in the fourth.

Justin Herbert and Los Angeles exploit stress appears to be like as Kansas City’s protection wilts

The Chargers gained 27-21 on Sept. 5, ending a seven-game slide towards the Chiefs and halting Kansas City’s run of 17 straight one-score wins. Herbert accomplished 25 of 34 for 318 yards and three touchdowns, then iced it with a 19-yard scramble on Third-and-14. It was not fluky. In the pivotal fourth quarter, an 11-play march bled practically seven minutes as Herbert went 8-for-8, repeatedly discovering area over the center when Steve Spagnuolo dialed up further rushers. That sequence flipped any late-game script Mahomes often writes.Herbert’s distribution mattered. Quentin Johnston caught two scores, together with a 23-yarder that restored a two-possession cushion in the fourth. Keenan Allen added an 11-yard purple zone TD and crossed a franchise milestone for profession touchdowns. The passing emphasis additionally underscored a tactical shift: after a run-heavy 2024, Greg Roman’s offense leaned into early-down throws and fast solutions versus the blitz. The payoff confirmed up in situational soccer and in the ultimate two minutes when Herbert’s scramble successfully closed the door.It was additionally a notable stage for the franchise. The victory marked Kansas City’s first regular-season loss overseas below Andy Reid after earlier wins in London, Mexico City and Frankfurt. That context, plus the streak Los Angeles broke in one-score outcomes, frames the consequence as greater than a Week 1 blip.“The lack of pressure from the Chiefs defensive line going against this Charger O-Line is concerning,” Analyst Tucker D. Franklin’s learn matched the tape: when Kansas City despatched warmth, Herbert answered with rhythm throws and in-breakers; after they sat again, he layered intermediate photographs. The cross rush by no means pressured the one dangerous determination the Chiefs wanted.

Patrick Mahomes retains Kansas City alive, however accidents and kicks swing the margin

Mahomes did what he at all times does late, hitting Travis Kelce for a 37-yard landing and ripping a fourth-and-7 deep ball to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. But the margins broke towards Kansas City. Harrison Butker missed a third-quarter PAT that may have tied it, and a later two-point strive failed. The Chiefs additionally misplaced rookie Xavier Worthy on the opening collection after a collision with Kelce, thinning a receiver room already with out Rashee Rice. Those three beats clarify why a fourth-quarter subject objective nonetheless left Kansas City chasing the sport.Even with the surge, the second half belonged to Herbert. He went 13-of-16 for 147 yards and two touchdowns after the break, calmly focusing on gentle spots at security and leveraging play motion to gradual the frenzy. That effectivity, paired with the seven-minute drive, stored Mahomes on the sideline lengthy sufficient to matter.What’s subsequent: Kansas City hosts Philadelphia on Sept. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET. Los Angeles visits Las Vegas on Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. ET.