The Kansas City Chiefs arrived in South America looking to make history. Instead, they left with more questions than answers.
Can 2023 Spark the Chiefs Again?
In their first-ever game played in Brazil, the Chiefs opened the 2025 NFL season with a 28-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night. The result snapped multiple streaks for Kansas City and handed their AFC West rivals a long-awaited breakthrough.
The Chargers had dropped seven straight games to the Chiefs, but quarterback Justin Herbert changed that narrative with a composed, efficient performance. For Kansas City, the defeat not only spoiled their international record but also ended their NFL-best streak of 17 consecutive wins in one-score games.
Xavier Worthy Injury
The night got worse just three plays in, when rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy exited with a shoulder injury following a collision with veteran tight end Travis Kelce. His absence left Patrick Mahomes without one of his newest offensive weapons, and the Chiefs never quite found their rhythm. With Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games, Mahomes might have to find a way without his first two choice wide receivers.
Flashbacks to 2023
For a franchise accustomed to chasing Lombardi Trophies, a Week 1 stumble is rare but not unprecedented. The last time Kansas City lost its season opener came in 2023, when the Detroit Lions edged them 21-20 at Arrowhead Stadium.
That loss sparked more than just questions — it lit a fire. The Chiefs rebounded, finishing 11–6 and claiming their eighth straight AFC West crown. They went on an improbable playoff run that included road victories over Miami, Buffalo, and Baltimore before edging the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in an overtime Super Bowl classic. Mahomes won his third Super Bowl MVP, cementing Kansas City’s dynasty status.
Friday’s setback in São Paulo has drawn comparisons to that season. Chiefs Kingdom will be hoping the parallels extend beyond just the opening loss.
Reid and Mahomes React
Head coach Andy Reid admitted his team looked out of sorts early, partly because Worthy‘s injury changed his game plan. “I’ve got to make sure I get my team in a better state there coming out and playing with more emotion,” Reid said. “We were a little flat in that first half and it cost us.”
Mahomes, who threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, kept a longer-term perspective. “It was a great experience,” he said of playing in Brazil. “Obviously, not the result we wanted, but it was really cool.”
The Chiefs are now 10-3 in season openers under Reid. After an eight-year stretch of Week 1 wins, they’ve dropped two of their last three.
What’s Next
Kansas City’s margin for error is thin early in the season. Their next game comes Sept. 14 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in a rematch of Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.
An 0-2 start would be new ground for Reid and Mahomes, but if history is any guide, the Chiefs have turned disappointment into motivation before.
Whether 2025 follows the path of 2023 will be determined in the weeks ahead. Time will tell.
Main Photo Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images