More than 6,100 miles from Los Angeles, Justin Herbert slid into home for the win.
Clinging to a six-point lead with 2:14 to play and facing third-and-14, Herbert scrambled around right end to clinch the Los Angeles Chargers' 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday in Brazil, sliding for a 19-yard game-sealing gain.
It was the exclamation point of a masterful performance in which he threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns to lift the Chargers to a season-opening triumph over the Chiefs, snapping the Bolts' seven-game losing streak in the rivalry.
"Justin was phenomenal today in every way with pinpoint accuracy," Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. "I thought he did a great job with his legs and running at the end to seal the game. Just overall toughness and just complete stalwart. He took some big hits and gave a few shots himself. It was incredible quarterback play today."
Herbert was, indeed, incredible. Through the air, he was 25 of 34 with no interceptions and a 131.7 passer rating, while rushing for 32 more yards on seven carries as he outdueled Patrick Mahomes in a one-possession game -- a historic achievement itself.
Ahead of Friday's battle in Brazil, Mahomes and the Chiefs had prevailed in an NFL-record 17 consecutive one-possession games (including playoffs).
Despite snapping the Chargers' losing skid against the Chiefs, Herbert downplayed the significance beyond starting the season on the right note.
"This was an important one because it was the first one," Herbert said. "It's a very good opponent that we are going against and obviously have a lot of respect for them. But I'm happy the way that all three phases executed today. That's what our goal was, and it was good to see."
As fate -- and Herbert -- would have it, the Chargers won by six points -- just as they did in their last win over the Chiefs, a 30-24, victory on Sept. 21, 2021. Just as he did in that game, Herbert hooked up with Keenan Allen for a touchdown. Allen, returning to the Chargers after one year away from the franchise, joined Quentin Johnston (two scores) in hauling in TDs from Herbert, who joined Tom Brady (twice) and Drew Brees as the only players with 300-plus passing yards, three or more passing TDs and no INTs in an international game, per NFL Research.
As many likely braced for the Chargers and offensive coordinator Greg Roman to come with a run-heavy approach led by rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton and free-agent addition Najee Harris, L.A. went aerial. Herbert was sensational in playing off any preconceived notions, hitting on 9 of 11 play-action attempts for 169 yards.
From the jump, Herbert and the Chargers were clicking, with the QB finding Johnston for a 33-yard gain on his first completion. A few plays later, he found Johnston again for a 5-yard score and the Chargers had a lead they'd never relinquish against the nine-time reigning AFC West champs.
Los Angeles built a 10-0 lead, but the Chiefs battled back, cutting their deficit to 13-12 prior to Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker missing a game-tying extra point.
Herbert seized the opportunity, guiding the Chargers on a 12-play, 74-yard march on the ensuing drive that culminated with an 11-yard TD toss to old friend Allen.
When Mahomes countered with a 37-yard scoring strike to Travis Kelce, Herbert answered in kind again with another scoring drive of 74 yards. This one ended with Johnston scoring from 23 yards.
The score came with 5:02 to play and the Chiefs promptly made it a one-score game after a Butker field goal.
With 2:34 left, though, Herbert closed it out -- not with his arm, but with his legs on the 19-yard scramble.
"I was trying to get the ball to Q and they ended up doubling him," Herbert said. "I figured it was man coverage, so there was no one for me so just escaped the pocket. I saw nobody in front of me, so I just slid and got the first down."
Technically, Friday's trip to Brazil was a home game for the Chargers.
Now, they'll have plenty of reason to celebrate on the flight home, having begun their 2025 campaign with a streak-busting triumph in which Herbert came up clutch again and again.
