Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats
The kansas city chiefs vs los angeles chargers match player stats from the 2025 season opener tell a much clearer story than the final score alone. The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 on September 5, 2025, at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. Justin Herbert produced 318 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and one touchdown and added 57 rushing yards and a rushing score. The official NFL game record confirms the 27-21 result and the Week 1 setting in São Paulo.
For anyone searching for a complete player-by-player breakdown, this game is especially interesting because the statistics show two very different offensive approaches. Kansas City moved the ball effectively on the ground and through short and intermediate passing, but Los Angeles generated more explosive passing production and converted those opportunities into touchdowns.
The Chargers finished with 394 total yards compared with 347 for the Chiefs. Los Angeles also produced 22 first downs to Kansas City’s 18, averaged 6.4 yards per offensive play compared with 6.0 for Kansas City, and held the ball for 32:44. The Chiefs had the stronger rushing average, gaining 98 yards on 17 attempts for 5.8 yards per carry, while the Chargers ran 25 times for 90 yards at 3.6 yards per attempt.
This article breaks down the important individual statistics, explains what those numbers reveal about the game, and separates box-score production from the performances that actually influenced the result.
Kansas city chiefs vs los angeles chargers match player stats
The headline quarterback comparison is straightforward.
Patrick Mahomes completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He averaged 6.6 yards per attempt and finished with an 89.5 passer rating. His contribution was not limited to passing. Mahomes carried the ball six times for 57 yards, averaging 9.5 yards per carry, and scored one rushing touchdown.
Justin Herbert was more efficient and more productive as a passer. He completed 25 of 34 attempts for 318 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His 9.4 yards per attempt and 131.7 passer rating were significant differences between the two quarterbacks.
Herbert also rushed seven times for 32 yards. His most important run came late in the fourth quarter when he gained 19 yards on a third-and-14 situation to help secure the victory. NFL.com’s postgame report highlighted that play as the closing moment of a 27-21 Chargers win.
Quarterback comparison
| Statistic | Patrick Mahomes | Justin Herbert |
| Completions | 24 | 25 |
| Attempts | 39 | 34 |
| Completion rate | 61.5% | 73.5% |
| Passing yards | 258 | 318 |
| Yards per attempt | 6.6 | 9.4 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks | 2 | 3 |
| Sack yards lost | 9 | 14 |
| Passer rating | 89.5 | 131.7 |
| Rushing attempts | 6 | 7 |
| Rushing yards | 57 | 32 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
The contrast is important. Mahomes produced more rushing yardage, but Herbert created considerably more passing value. Kansas City finished with 249 net passing yards after sacks, while Los Angeles recorded 304 net passing yards.
Patrick Mahomes performance breakdown
Mahomes’ final numbers were respectable, but the game demonstrated how much Kansas City depended on him to create offense.
His 258 passing yards represented 66.7 percent of Kansas City’s total offensive yardage. That percentage becomes even more meaningful when his rushing contribution is considered. Mahomes personally accounted for 315 combined passing and rushing yards.
His six rushing attempts produced 57 yards, including a long of 15 yards and one touchdown. That 9.5-yard average was the best rushing average among Kansas City’s primary ball carriers.
The challenge for Kansas City was that Mahomes did not receive enough scoring support through the passing game. The Chiefs had only one passing touchdown, compared with three for Los Angeles.
Mahomes also avoided the most damaging quarterback mistake. He threw no interceptions. In a six-point loss, that matters because Kansas City did not lose the turnover battle through interceptions or lost fumbles.
The problem was efficiency rather than catastrophic mistakes.
Kansas City completed 24 of 39 passes, meaning Mahomes had 15 incompletions. His 6.6 yards per attempt was well below Herbert’s 9.4. That difference helped explain why Los Angeles could generate more yardage despite running the ball less efficiently.
Justin Herbert performance breakdown
Herbert was the statistical standout of the game.
His 25 completions were only one more than Mahomes’ total, yet Herbert produced 60 more passing yards. That came from a combination of completion efficiency and downfield production.
A 73.5 percent completion rate and 9.4 yards per attempt is an excellent combination. Herbert was not simply completing short throws to accumulate yardage. The Chargers averaged 8.2 yards per pass play when sacks were included, compared with 6.1 for Kansas City.
Herbert’s three touchdown passes were distributed among the Chargers’ receiving weapons, giving the offense multiple ways to finish drives.
His rushing statistics were also more valuable than the raw 32-yard total suggests. Seven carries produced 32 yards, and his late 19-yard scramble effectively removed Kansas City’s opportunity to regain possession with enough time to mount another comeback.
This is a useful example of why player evaluation should not rely entirely on passing statistics. A quarterback’s rushing contribution can become decisive when the game reaches a critical possession.
Kansas City receiving statistics
Hollywood Brown led Kansas City’s receivers in both receptions and receiving yards.
Brown caught 10 passes for 99 yards on 16 targets. His longest reception went for 49 yards. That means Brown was responsible for 41.3 percent of Kansas City’s 24 completions.
His target volume is perhaps the most revealing number. Sixteen targets represented 42.1 percent of Kansas City’s 38 total targets. That shows how heavily Mahomes relied on Brown as a consistent receiving option.
JuJu Smith-Schuster finished with five receptions for 55 yards. Travis Kelce recorded two receptions for 47 yards and one touchdown. Tyquan Thornton added two catches for 41 yards.
Chiefs receiving leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Targets | Long |
| Hollywood Brown | 10 | 99 | 0 | 16 | 49 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 5 | 55 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Travis Kelce | 2 | 47 | 1 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Tyquan Thornton | 2 | 41 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Kareem Hunt | 2 | 10 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Noah Gray | 1 | 3 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Isiah Pacheco | 2 | 3 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
The most interesting detail is the contrast between Brown and Kelce.
Brown was the volume receiver. Kelce was the touchdown receiver.
Brown’s 99 yards provided consistent movement, while Kelce’s 47 yards included the Chiefs’ only passing touchdown. This illustrates why reception totals and scoring production should be analyzed separately.
Los Angeles receiving statistics
The Chargers’ receiving production was more balanced at the top.
Quentin Johnston led Los Angeles with five receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. His two touchdown receptions were a major reason the Chargers were able to turn their passing production into a six-point victory.
Keenan Allen caught seven passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. Ladd McConkey added six receptions for 74 yards.
The Chargers therefore had three important contributors who combined for 18 receptions and 221 receiving yards.
Chargers receiving leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Targets | Long |
| Quentin Johnston | 5 | 79 | 2 | 7 | 33 |
| Ladd McConkey | 6 | 74 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Keenan Allen | 7 | 68 | 1 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Tyler Conklin | 2 | 50 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Will Dissly | 1 | 18 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Omarion Hampton | 2 | 13 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Tre’ Harris | 1 | 11 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Najee Harris | 1 | 5 | 0 | Not provided | Not provided |
The Chargers’ receiving group collectively generated 318 yards on 25 receptions and scored three touchdowns.
That 12.7-yard average per reception is substantially higher than Kansas City’s 10.8-yard average. The difference was not enormous in raw terms, but across 24 to 25 receptions it helped create the extra offensive production that ultimately separated the teams.
Kansas City rushing statistics
Kansas City’s rushing attack produced 98 yards from only 17 attempts.
That is one of the most overlooked aspects of the game.
The Chiefs averaged 5.8 yards per carry, compared with 3.6 for the Chargers. On pure rushing efficiency, Kansas City had the better performance.
Mahomes was the team’s leading rusher with 57 yards on six carries.
Isiah Pacheco carried five times for 25 yards, while Kareem Hunt had five attempts for 16 yards. Xavier Worthy recorded one rushing attempt for no gain.
Chiefs rushing leaders
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Patrick Mahomes | 6 | 57 | 9.5 | 1 | 15 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 5 | 25 | 5.0 | 0 | Not provided |
| Kareem Hunt | 5 | 16 | 3.2 | 0 | Not provided |
| Xavier Worthy | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
The 98-yard total is impressive considering Kansas City used only 17 rushing attempts.
The bigger strategic question is whether the Chiefs should have leaned further into that efficiency. The box score cannot answer that question by itself, but it does show that the running game was not the primary reason Kansas City lost.
Los Angeles rushing statistics
Los Angeles ran the ball more frequently but generated less yardage.
The Chargers finished with 25 rushing attempts for 90 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
Omarion Hampton led the team with 15 carries for 48 yards. Herbert followed with seven carries for 32 yards. Najee Harris contributed five yards on one carry, while Derius Davis and Tyler Conklin also recorded rushing attempts.
Chargers rushing leaders
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Omarion Hampton | 15 | 48 | 3.2 | 0 | Not provided |
| Justin Herbert | 7 | 32 | 4.6 | 0 | 19 |
| Najee Harris | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | Not provided |
| Derius Davis | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | Not provided |
| Tyler Conklin | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | Not provided |
The rushing numbers show an important tactical point. Los Angeles did not need to dominate on the ground because Herbert was producing efficiently through the air.
The Chargers’ 304 net passing yards more than compensated for their 3.6-yard rushing average.
Defensive player statistics
Defense is another area where the game looks relatively balanced at first glance.
Both teams recorded 60 total tackles.
Kansas City had 42 solo tackles, while Los Angeles recorded 36. The Chiefs registered three sacks, compared with two for the Chargers.
Kansas City also recorded six tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. Los Angeles had three tackles for loss but eight quarterback hits.
Kansas City defensive leaders
| Player | Tackles |
| Chamarri Conner | 10 |
| Nick Bolton | 8 |
| Jaylen Watson | 6 |
| Drue Tranquill | 5 |
| Trent McDuffie | 5 |
Chamarri Conner led all Kansas City defenders with 10 tackles.
Nick Bolton’s eight tackles were also significant, while Jaylen Watson recorded six.
The Chiefs finished with three sacks and two passes defended. However, they did not intercept Herbert.
Los Angeles defensive leaders
| Player | Tackles |
| Alohi Gilman | 9 |
| Daiyan Henley | 8 |
| Derwin James Jr. | 7 |
| Troy Dye | 5 |
| Elijah Molden | 4 |
Alohi Gilman led Los Angeles with nine tackles.
Daiyan Henley added eight, while Derwin James Jr. recorded seven.
The Chargers’ eight quarterback hits are particularly notable. Although Kansas City did not throw an interception, pressure was still part of the defensive picture.
Turnovers and ball security
Neither team recorded an interception.
Neither team lost a fumble.
That makes the turnover battle effectively even.
Kansas City recorded one fumble without losing it, while Los Angeles also recorded one fumble without losing it.
This is important because the Chargers’ victory cannot be explained by a simple turnover advantage. They won while both teams protected the football.
When there is no meaningful turnover difference, offensive efficiency becomes even more important. Los Angeles generated 394 total yards compared with Kansas City’s 347 and produced three offensive touchdowns compared with Kansas City’s two.
Third-down efficiency mattered
One of the clearest statistical differences came on third down.
Kansas City converted 5 of 14 third downs, a 35.7 percent success rate.
Los Angeles converted 7 of 13, or 53.8 percent.
That is a major possession-level difference.
The Chargers had more opportunities to keep drives alive, which contributed to their 32:44 time of possession. Kansas City held the ball for 27:16.
A team does not need to dominate every statistical category to win. It needs to win enough of the categories that influence possession and scoring.
Los Angeles did that.
Red-zone performance
Red-zone execution also favored the Chargers.
Kansas City finished 1-for-3 in red-zone opportunities, a 33 percent rate.
Los Angeles went 2-for-4, a 50 percent rate.
The difference is only one additional successful red-zone possession, but that extra conversion helped create the six-point margin.
Kansas City’s three field goals also demonstrate that its offense frequently reached scoring range without consistently finishing drives with touchdowns.
Harrison Butker made all three field-goal attempts, including a 59-yard kick, but Kansas City missed its only extra-point attempt.
Kicking statistics
Harrison Butker finished 3-for-3 on field goals and scored nine points. His longest successful kick traveled 59 yards.
Cameron Dicker also converted every field-goal attempt, going 2-for-2 with a long of 39 yards. He made all three of his extra-point attempts for nine kicking points.
Kicking comparison
| Statistic | Harrison Butker | Cameron Dicker |
| Field goals | 3/3 | 2/2 |
| Field-goal percentage | 100% | 100% |
| Long field goal | 59 yards | 39 yards |
| Extra points | 0/1 | 3/3 |
| Points | 9 | 9 |
Butker’s 59-yard field goal was one of the strongest individual kicking plays in the game.
Yet Dicker’s perfect extra-point record mattered because Los Angeles converted all three touchdowns into seven-point possessions, while Kansas City did not.
Special teams and field position
Kansas City’s kick-return numbers were excellent.
Brashard Smith returned two kickoffs for 63 yards. Nikko Remigio returned two for 56 yards, and Tyquan Thornton had one return for 28 yards.
Together, Kansas City generated 147 kickoff-return yards on five returns, averaging 29.4 yards per return.
Los Angeles had 67 kickoff-return yards on three returns, averaging 22.3 yards.
Kansas City also recorded two punt returns for seven yards through Remigio.
These figures show that the Chiefs were not losing the game because their special teams were consistently giving away field position.
The bigger difference came from what each offense did after getting the ball.
Team statistics that explain the result
The complete statistical picture is remarkably balanced in some categories and clearly separated in others.
| Category | Chiefs | Chargers |
| Total yards | 347 | 394 |
| Passing yards | 258 gross | 318 gross |
| Net passing yards | 249 | 304 |
| Rushing yards | 98 | 90 |
| Offensive plays | 58 | 62 |
| Yards per play | 6.0 | 6.4 |
| First downs | 18 | 22 |
| Third down | 5/14 | 7/13 |
| Time of possession | 27:16 | 32:44 |
| Turnovers lost | 0 | 0 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
| Field goals | 3/3 | 2/2 |
| Red-zone efficiency | 1/3 | 2/4 |
| Final score | 21 | 27 |
The numbers suggest that the Chargers won because of a combination of passing efficiency, third-down conversion, time of possession and touchdown production.
Kansas City actually had the more efficient rushing attack.
That distinction matters because it prevents an overly simple explanation of the game.
What the player stats reveal about the matchup
The most useful way to interpret kansas city chiefs vs los angeles chargers match player stats is to look for relationships between the numbers.
Herbert’s efficiency created the biggest separation
Herbert threw five fewer passes than Mahomes but produced 60 more passing yards.
That is a significant efficiency gap.
His 9.4 yards per attempt compared with Mahomes’ 6.6 means Los Angeles gained considerably more yardage from each passing opportunity.
Mahomes’ rushing production kept Kansas City competitive
Mahomes’ 57 rushing yards and rushing touchdown were not typical supplementary quarterback numbers.
They were a major part of Kansas City’s offensive production.
Without that contribution, the Chiefs’ rushing attack would have produced only 41 yards on 11 carries from its listed running backs and other rushers.
Brown was Kansas City’s volume engine
Hollywood Brown’s 10 catches and 16 targets show that Kansas City had a clear high-volume receiving option.
His 99 yards were only four yards short of 100, and his 49-yard reception demonstrated that he could also provide explosive gains.
Johnston delivered the finishing plays
Quentin Johnston’s 79 yards were not the highest receiving total for the Chargers, but his two touchdowns made his production particularly valuable.
In a 27-21 game, scoring plays matter more than raw yardage.
The Chargers converted opportunities better
Los Angeles produced 22 first downs, converted 53.8 percent of third downs and scored three touchdowns.
Kansas City produced 18 first downs, converted 35.7 percent of third downs and scored two touchdowns.
That combination explains the final result better than any individual statistic.
Was Patrick Mahomes bad?
No.
The box score does not support that conclusion.
Mahomes threw for 258 yards, scored a passing touchdown, avoided interceptions and added 57 rushing yards with another touchdown.
The more accurate assessment is that he was productive but less efficient than Herbert.
Quarterback performance is contextual. A passer can post respectable raw numbers while another quarterback creates more value with fewer attempts.
That is what happened here.
Was Justin Herbert the player of the game?
Based strictly on the supplied statistics and the official game reporting, Herbert has the strongest case.
He produced 318 passing yards, three touchdown passes, no interceptions and 32 rushing yards. His 131.7 passer rating was dramatically higher than Mahomes’ 89.5.
His late 19-yard scramble was also a high-leverage contribution that helped close out the win. NFL.com’s postgame coverage specifically highlighted that run as the play that effectively sealed the victory.
Why Kansas City still had positive statistical signs
A six-point loss does not mean every part of Kansas City’s performance was poor.
The Chiefs ran for 98 yards on 17 attempts at 5.8 yards per carry.
They also generated 147 kickoff-return yards and made all three field-goal attempts.
Their defense produced three sacks and six tackles for loss.
Most importantly, they did not turn the ball over.
Those are useful positives to identify because they reveal areas that were functioning even during the loss.
Why Los Angeles deserved the win
Los Angeles was better in the categories most directly tied to sustaining drives and scoring touchdowns.
The Chargers:
- Gained 394 total yards.
- Produced 22 first downs.
- Converted 53.8 percent of third downs.
- Held the ball for 32:44.
- Generated 304 net passing yards.
- Scored three passing touchdowns.
- Converted two of four red-zone opportunities.
- Avoided turnovers.
Kansas City remained close because of Mahomes’ rushing production, efficient team rushing and reliable field-goal kicking.
But Los Angeles created more high-value offensive possessions.
A practical way to read this box score
When analyzing future NFL matchups, it is tempting to start with passing yards and touchdown totals.
A better process is to examine the game in layers.
First, check turnovers.
Second, compare total yards and yards per play.
Third, examine third-down efficiency.
Fourth, examine red-zone performance.
Fifth, compare explosive plays and quarterback efficiency.
Finally, look at individual player contributions.
Using that approach here makes the result easier to understand.
The Chargers did not win because Kansas City collapsed.
They won because Los Angeles was slightly more efficient across several important categories at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score between the Chiefs and Chargers?
The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in the 2025 season opener in São Paulo, Brazil. The NFL lists Kansas City at 0-1 and Los Angeles at 1-0 following the game.
How many yards did Patrick Mahomes pass for?
Patrick Mahomes completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 57 yards and one touchdown.
How many yards did Justin Herbert pass for?
Justin Herbert completed 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed seven times for 32 yards.
Who was Kansas City’s leading receiver?
Hollywood Brown led Kansas City with 10 receptions for 99 yards on 16 targets. His longest reception was 49 yards.
Who led the Chargers in receiving touchdowns?
Quentin Johnston led Los Angeles with two receiving touchdowns. He finished with five receptions for 79 yards on seven targets.
Did either team record an interception?
No. Neither Kansas City nor Los Angeles intercepted the opposing quarterback, and neither team lost a fumble.
Conclusion
The kansas city chiefs vs los angeles chargers match player stats show a competitive game decided by efficiency rather than a dramatic turnover advantage.
Patrick Mahomes produced 258 passing yards and added 57 rushing yards, giving Kansas City an important dual-threat dimension. Hollywood Brown was the Chiefs’ leading receiver with 99 yards, while the Kansas City rushing attack averaged an impressive 5.8 yards per attempt.
Justin Herbert, however, produced the most influential statistical performance. His 318 passing yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions and 131.7 passer rating gave Los Angeles a major advantage through the air. Quentin Johnston’s two touchdown receptions and the Chargers’ ability to convert 53.8 percent of third downs helped turn that passing efficiency into points.
The team statistics reinforce the individual numbers. Los Angeles gained 394 yards to Kansas City’s 347, produced 22 first downs to 18, and held the ball for more than 32 minutes. Kansas City stayed within reach because its rushing efficiency, special teams production and field-goal kicking were strong.
The final 27-21 score therefore reflects a game in which both teams had productive stretches, but Los Angeles consistently extracted more value from its passing opportunities and key downs.
For readers evaluating player performance, the most important lesson is not simply that Herbert outperformed Mahomes. It is that quarterback efficiency, receiving production, third-down execution, red-zone results and possession time worked together to produce the Chargers’ victory.
