Chiefs vs. Chargers Week 1 Predictions: Fireworks on the world stage as AFC West foes do battle in São Paulo, Brazil

The A to Z Sports NFL staff makes their predictions for the Chiefs-Chargers Week 1 game in São Paulo, Brazil.

Adam Holt, Adam Zientek, Brentley Weissman, Charles Goldman, Justin Churchill, Nick Roesch, Wendell Ferreira
Add as preferred source on Google

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are set to square off on the world stage in São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, September 5.

When two playoff teams from the year prior meet in the regular season, the expectation is fireworks. That’s what the NFL is hoping for in a matchup between AFC West foes who each have much to prove. The Chiefs are coming off a disappointing Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Chargers are coming off a first-round playoff exit.

Despite his record showing two victories over Kansas City, Justin Herbert has only beaten a Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs team once in his career. That second win came against Chad Henne in a meaningless Week 17 game. Herbert has lost the last six consecutive games he’s started against the K.C. (excluding the Week 18 matchup between Easton Stick & Blaine Gabbert in January 2024).

Will that losing streak continue in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season or are the Chargers ready to write a new chapter in Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh? The A to Z Sports’ writing staff will share their predictions below.

Chiefs 24, Chargers 17

Not only are the Chiefs favorites to win this game, but they are still one of the top teams in the entire conference. The Chargers did get better and more reliable with Jim Harbaugh last year, but the Chiefs have a higher floor with a strong defense and a higher ceiling with Patrick Mahomes. They’re expected to feature a more explosive version of the offense in 2025, with a revamped left side of the offensive line. It’s not unrealistic to think that the Chargers can pull off a win in Brazil, but Kansas City has the edge until proven otherwise.

– Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Sports, Green Bay Packers (on-site in Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Chiefs 34, Chargers 24

All offseason long, the Chiefs have made no bones about getting back to pushing the ball downfield and being more explosive on offense. With an improved offensive line and a deeper group of pass catchers, I expect them to do just that. The Chargers lost a few key pieces on defense during free agency, paving the way for K.C.’s offense to have a big day. I think the impact of being without left tackle Rashawn Slater will be tough for L.A. as they adjust throughout the first few weeks of the season, which could also throw off some timing on key downs on offense.

– Nick Roesch, A to Z Sports, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs 27, Chargers 14

These two teams are playing in Brazil, and while everyone seems to think the Chiefs’ dynasty is over and they will fall off, I can’t see that happening. The Kansas City roster is better on paper than it was a year ago. I’m not convinced that the Chargers are a better team than they were last season. In fact, I think there is a world where they finish last in the division. The Chiefs have owned the Chargers and everyone else in the division for some time now. With Patrick Mahomes controlling the offense and it expected to be better than it was last season, I don’t see this team losing in Week 1. There are far too many holes in the Chargers’ roster, be it a lack of O-Line depth, a middling wide receiver group, or a lackluster secondary.

– Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports, Las Vegas Raiders

Chiefs 27, Chargers 24

The Chargers-Chiefs game is the perfect way to start the season: exciting quarterback play, some elite talent on both defenses, and unbelievably proven coaching staffs. I’m going to lean toward K.C. here simply because I won’t bet against Patrick Mahomes to get off to a strong start to the season. He has been nearly flawless throughout his career in September, and this time, he has extra motivation. This one should be a slugfest to the end, though. If LAC controls the ground game and time of possession, I won’t be shocked if they do come out on top.

– Adam Holt, A to Z Sports, Los Angeles Chargers

Chiefs 21, Chargers 17

The Chargers and Chiefs are set to play in an AFC West showdown in Brazil to start the season. These two 2024 playoff teams enter the 2025 season with high expectations, and both are expected to be in contention for the division title. I expect a close game and one that’s low-scoring, as both defenses are among the league’s best. The Chiefs have explosive playmakers, and the Chargers’ secondary is their weak link in their defense. With both teams striving to establish the run, I expect the team that can land a few big plays will win. With that said, I see the Chiefs winning this one. 

– Brentley Weismann, A to Z Sports, Los Angeles Chargers

Chiefs 27, Chargers 17

Is there ever even a point to go against the Kansas City Chiefs? They continue to win and make it to the Super Bowls. Okay, I’m done complaining. The front office made some adjustments and invested significant capital in fixing the offensive line through the draft and free agency; it’ll show when the game kicks off. That’s not to say that it won’t be a fight. Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers have high hopes of taking down the kings of the AFC West, but to no avail. They haven’t done much to move the needle in hopes of dethroning Kansas City. Once again, the Chargers lose.

– Adam Zientek, A to Z Sports, Denver Broncos

Chiefs 27, Chargers 24

I expect Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to have the Chiefs’ offense humming pretty quickly in this one. They didn’t end Super Bowl LIX the way they wanted to, and everyone on offense has been eager and anxious to make that right ever since. The rebuilt left side of the offensive line should help them achieve those ends, along with a deeper wide receiver, tight end, and running back room. I suspect the defense will go through some early-season growing pains as they learn a bit about their identity for the 2025 NFL season. It doesn’t help that the Chargers are a physical, run-heavy team, with the goal of setting up the play-action passing game. That plays into the weaker parts of this Steve Spagnuolo defense, at least on paper.

– Charles Goldman, A to Z Sports, Kansas City Chiefs

Final verdict on the Week 1 tilt between the Chiefs and the Chargers

It’s a clean 7-0 sweep for the Chiefs in Week 1 against the Chargers, and while that might make things uncomfortable for the superstitious fans in Kansas City, it should also be a relief. You won’t find any hot takes here, but rather a group of writers who understand that a team that has been to three consecutive Super Bowls doesn’t simply fall off overnight. Could Los Angeles stun and win this game? Absolutely. The parity in the NFL is greater than it has ever been at any point in league history. But if the Chiefs have taught us anything during their recent run of league dominance, it’s that you shouldn’t doubt them until they give you a reason to.

Related Articles