Welcome back to NFL football. The Los Angeles Chargers First game of the season started off with a storm in one of the most beautiful places in the world. A gorgeous Friday night in San Paulo, Brazil, the Chargers would face off against one of their toughest opponents, reigning division champion of the last nine consecutive seasons the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rolling into this season the Chargers are facing a lot of opposition, not only from their opponents but also from some unfortunate rolls of the dice. This season the Chargers will be the most traveled team in the NFL with an league record of 37,086 miles. Not to mention recently losing their star left tackle Rashawn Slater to a season ending leg injury. With grit and determination and one of the deepest skill positions Herbert has ever had behind him, the Chargers just might surprise you. Rookie runningback Omarion Hampton, and rookie receivers Tre Harris and big play Dre, not to mention some new faces from the offseason, there just might be a storm brewing in sunny southern California.
The Chargers met the Chiefs in Brazil Friday night that proved a lot of naysayers wrong. One unexpected bump was the Chiefs not only losing their star wide receiver Rice with a six game suspension, but three offensive plays into the Chief’s first possession Xavier Worthy got into some friendly fire by colliding with Tight end Travis Kelce. The hit seemed to damage his shoulder severely, with cameras catching team trainers on the sideline seeming to say “its bad”. Worthy would then head into the locker room and be out the rest of the game. After that it would be precision from then on out for the Chargers.
Herbert had one of his best games of his career. 25 completions on 34 attempts for 318 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, Herbert was everything you want a franchise quarterback to be. Even ending the game with a 3rd and 14 run that sealed the win for the Chargers. Quentin Johnston had an amazing night in Brazil himself with 5 catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Slayer was back with Keenan Allen scoring a touchdown and showing he hadn’t missed a beat with Herbert and turning 33.
Play after play the Chargers showed that they are here to compete. Coach Harbaugh keeping his perfect first game of the season record while coaching in the NFL, now at a perfect 6-0 for season openers. Fans even got to witness Tart open hand slap Chiefs TE Travis Kelce in the face but then proceeded to get 3 passes defended in this one game.
Energy is high and eyes are looking to next Monday when the Chargers take on Division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders. Sitting at the top of the Division after one game and riding a coattail victory of beating the Chiefs for the first time since 2021, the Chargers will be continuing to make a statement on why they are a team to be reckoned with this season in the NFL. Could we see the Chargers playing in the bay area in February? This writer and fan certainly seems to think so.