Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in outdueling Patrick Mahomes, and the Los Angeles Chargers beat Kansas City 27-21 on Friday night in Sao Paulo, snapping a seven-game skid to the Chiefs.

“It’s monumental,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “September 5th will go down in some Charger lore, in my opinion. It was a big win.”

The NFL’s second game played in South America was streamed on YouTube, with Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar in attendance. Newly engaged pop superstar Taylor Swift wasn’t there to watch fiancé Travis Kelce and see Colombian singer Karol G perform at halftime.

Herbert became just the third quarterback in Chargers history with 300 yards and three TDs in a season opener. His 19-yard run on third-and-14 dashed any comeback hopes the Chiefs had with 2:21 to play. He finished 25 of 34 and was sacked three times.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight, so we showed up today with our best effort,” Herbert said. “It was fun to see.”

Mahomes was 24 of 39 for 258 yards, one touchdown and two sacks.

Herbert’s 23-yard TD pass to Quentin Johnston extended the lead to 26-18 with 5:02 remaining in the fourth. They hooked up for a 5-yard TD on the Chargers’ opening drive of the game.

Chased by Khalil Mack, Mahomes threw incomplete to Marquise Brown on first-and-goal at the LA 9. Two more incomplete passes brought on Harrison Butker, whose 27-yard field goal cut the deficit to 27-21 with 2:34 remaining.

The Chiefs closed to 20-18 on Mahomes’ 37-yard TD pass to Kelce early in the fourth. The 2-point conversion failed as Mahomes’ pass was incomplete to Noah Gray.

The Chiefs were coming off their first TD drive in the third when they gave one right back to their AFC rivals. Herbert’s short left pass to Keenan Allen for 11 yards extended the Chargers’ lead to 19-12. Herbert and Allen had over 300 receptions together before Allen left for Chicago last season. He returned to Los Angeles last month.

The Chargers beat the Chiefs for the first time since Sept. 26, 2021, in Kansas City.

Injuries

The Chiefs were already down two receivers to start the game, with Rashee Rice suspended to start the season and rookie Jalen Royals out with a knee injury.

They lost another one three snaps into the game.

Xavier Worthy and teammate Kelce collided on a third-down pass. Worthy had to be helped off the field and was later ruled out with a right shoulder injury.

Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman didn’t return after leaving with an ankle injury in the third.

Up next

The Chiefs host Philadelphia on Sept. 14 in a Super Bowl rematch.

The Chargers visit Las Vegas on Sept. 15 in the second of three straight against division rivals.

Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in outdueling Patrick Mahomes, and the Los Angeles Chargers beat Kansas City 27-21 on Friday night in Sao Paulo, snapping a seven-game skid to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“It’s monumental,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “September 5th will go down in some Charger lore, in my opinion. It was a big win.”

The NFL’s second game played in South America was streamed on YouTube, with Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar in attendance. Newly engaged pop superstar Taylor Swift wasn’t there to watch fiancé Travis Kelce and see Colombian singer Karol G perform at halftime.

Herbert became just the third quarterback in Chargers history with 300 yards and three TDs in a season opener. His 19-yard run on third-and-14 dashed any comeback hopes the Chiefs had with 2:21 to play. He finished 25 of 34 and was sacked three times.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight, so we showed up today with our best effort,” Herbert said. “It was fun to see.”

Mahomes was 24 of 39 for 258 yards, one touchdown and two sacks.

Herbert’s 23-yard TD pass to Quentin Johnston extended the lead to 26-18 with 5:02 remaining in the fourth. They hooked up for a 5-yard TD on the Chargers’ opening drive of the game.

Chased by Khalil Mack, Mahomes threw incomplete to Marquise Brown on first-and-goal at the LA 9. Two more incomplete passes brought on Harrison Butker, whose 27-yard field goal cut the deficit to 27-21 with 2:34 remaining.

The Chiefs closed to 20-18 on Mahomes’ 37-yard TD pass to Kelce early in the fourth. The 2-point conversion failed as Mahomes’ pass was incomplete to Noah Gray.

The Chiefs were coming off their first TD drive in the third when they gave one right back to their AFC rivals. Herbert’s short left pass to Keenan Allen for 11 yards extended the Chargers’ lead to 19-12. Herbert and Allen had over 300 receptions together before Allen left for Chicago last season. He returned to Los Angeles last month.

The Chargers beat the Chiefs for the first time since Sept. 26, 2021, in Kansas City.

The Chiefs were already down two receivers to start the game, with Rashee Rice suspended to start the season and rookie Jalen Royals out with a knee injury.

They lost another one three snaps into the game.

Xavier Worthy and teammate Kelce collided on a third-down pass. Worthy had to be helped off the field and was later ruled out with a right shoulder injury.

Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman didn’t return after leaving with an ankle injury in the third.

The Chiefs host Philadelphia on Sept. 14 in a Super Bowl rematch.

The Chargers visit Las Vegas on Sept. 15 in the second of three straight against division rivals.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Chargers gave up a home game to open the season against the Chiefs in Brazil. Though they were 6,200 miles from home, playing in front of a large contingent of Chiefs fans, the Chargers made themselves right at home.

Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a signature win, a 27-21 victory over the Chiefs.

After the Chiefs had closed to within 20-18 early in the fourth quarter, Herbert directed an 11-play, 74-yard drive that ate 7:02 off the clock. He went 8-for-8 for 73 yards on the 74-yard drive, throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston with 5:02 left. That put the Chargers up two scores.

Herbert went 25-of-34 for 318 yards and three touchdowns, but his biggest play came with his legs.

With the Chiefs out of timeouts with 2:14 left — and back within 27-21 — the Chargers faced a third-and-13 from their own 34. Herbert ran for 19 on a designed run before sliding down. That allowed the Chargers to run out the clock, keeping the ball away from Patrick Mahomes.

Herbert threw touchdown passes of 5 and 23 yards to Johnston, and Keenan Allen caught an 11-yarder. Nine different receivers caught a pass led by Johnston’s five catches for 79 yards.

The Chargers never trailed, but the Chiefs kept it interesting.

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made field goals of 35 and 59 yards, missed an extra point in the third quarter, and Teair Tart knocked away a Patrick Mahomes’ pass on a 2-point attempt. That’s how the Chiefs fell behind by two scores.

In the fourth quarter, with the Chiefs trailing 27-18, they faced a fourth-and-7 from the Kansas City 42. Mahomes was nearly sacked by Khalil Mack as he ran for his life. As he neared the sideline with Mack in hot pursuit, Mahomes heaved a ball downfield to Hollywood Brown, who got behind the defense for a 49-yard gain to the Los Angeles 9. It led to a 27-yard Butker field goal with 2:34 left.

That made it a one-score game again at 27-21.

The Chargers, though, stayed aggressive, trusting Herbert, and he delivered one of the biggest victories of his career.

The Chargers outgained the Chiefs 394 to 347.

Mahomes was 24-of-39 for 258 yards and a touchdown, a 37-yarder to Travis Kelce. Mahomes also ran for 57 yards, and an 11-yard touchdown, on six carries. Brown caught 10 passes for 99 yards.

The Chiefs lost wide receiver Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury on the third play from scrimmage.