It’s the kind of loss that stings. The Kansas City Chiefs, in their NFL Big Brazil showcase, fell short to the Los Angeles Chargers with a final score of 27-21. Despite Patrick Mahomes throwing for over 250 yards and connecting with Travis Kelce late in the game, it wasn’t enough to overcome a dagger scramble by Justin Herbert, who led the Chargers to their first win over the Chiefs in seven games. The defeat left fans scratching their heads, but it also provided important lessons about what the Chiefs need to work on moving forward.

The Chiefs’ Struggles: Timing, Protection, and Consistency

This game wasn’t a lack of heart—there was plenty of fight. But it was a matter of details, execution, and who stepped up when the stakes were highest. The Chiefs entered the game with several key players unavailable. Rashi Rice, Jaylen Royals, and Xavier Worthy were all sidelined, leaving the receiving corps thin. This lack of chemistry and depth on the offensive side of the ball made a huge impact in the Chiefs’ timing offense, which was clearly out of sync throughout much of the game.

Hollywood Brown showed flashes of brilliance, but he couldn’t find consistency when the offense needed it most. Protection and route timing were also off until late in the game, and by the time the Chiefs started to settle into rhythm, Justin Herbert and the Chargers had already built enough of a cushion to control the game’s script. Herbert’s 318-yard, three-touchdown performance, capped off by a back-breaking 19-yard scramble, was enough to seal the win for the Chargers.

The Winners: Pacheco, Kelce, and the Special Teams Spark

Despite the loss, there were a few bright spots. Running back Isaiah Pacheco was undoubtedly one of the standout players. With his violent cuts and churn-after-contact energy, Pacheco was the heartbeat of the offense when it needed a spark. He’s clearly a tone-setter in this offense, and when the passing game was struggling, he stepped up to keep the Chiefs moving forward.

Travis Kelce, as always, was Mahomes’ security blanket. Though he battled through a tough game, Kelce found space late and gave Mahomes a reliable target in the clutch. When the wide receiver room is in flux, Kelce is the stabilizer, and his ability to make plays in crunch time was crucial to the Chiefs’ late push.

Special teams also played a crucial role, with Harrison Butker nailing a booming 59-yard field goal just before halftime. This was a stark reminder that the Chiefs’ special teams can still deliver when called upon.

One of the most exciting developments came from Jason Brownley, who was called up for this game. Brownley injected some much-needed juice into the lineup, showing that he could be a key contributor going forward. His energy on the field was noticeable, and he looked like a player eager for more snaps. With the wide receiver room thin, Brownley’s spark was exactly what the Chiefs needed in a tough spot.

The Losers: WR Consistency and Pass Protection Issues

The biggest area for concern was the wide receiver group. With Rice suspended and Royals out, the margin for error became razor-thin. Hollywood Brown had his chances, but the timing and chemistry with Mahomes just weren’t there. This is a fixable issue, but it was evident that without reliable receivers on the field, the Chiefs’ offense couldn’t function at its full potential.

Another glaring issue was pass protection and early-down sequencing. The opening script felt disjointed, with too many plays that resulted in second-and-long situations. This put the Chiefs behind the sticks, and by the time they regained rhythm, the game was already slipping away. When the tempo showed up, it was too little, too late.

Chris Jones: Accountability in a Rough Night

Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ defensive captain, showed accountability even in the midst of a rough night for the defense. While the pressure was there at times, it wasn’t sustained, especially on key downs. The Chiefs’ defense couldn’t consistently close out on Herbert, and that’s where they missed complementary pass rush help. The edges were weak, and the Chargers took advantage of that.

The secondary also had its struggles. The young Chargers wide receivers, many of them rookies and second-year players, were able to win leverage snaps and run through zones, which hurt the Chiefs’ coverage. It was a lesson in the importance of details, landmarks, and communication—areas that will need improvement before the next game.

Key Adjustments Moving Forward

There’s no need to panic after Week 1, but the Chiefs have some key adjustments to make. Mahomes and Andy Reid both acknowledged the need to start faster. This is where the team must evolve. One adjustment could be borrowing a page from the 2022 midseason playbook: leaning into tempo and quick game scripts. This would help Mahomes get into rhythm early, with immediate answers from quick-hitting passes, choice routes for Kelce, speed outs for Brown, and running back checkdowns to turn short-yardage plays into longer gains behind Pacheco.

Pairing this with condensed formations and motion will help stress defensive leverage and hide new faces like Brownley and Taekwon Thornton. Once the defense starts to widen out, the Chiefs can begin layering in shot plays to keep opposing defenses on their toes.

On the defensive side, Steve Spagnuolo can help the pass rush by varying pressure looks. Showing blitz and then dropping back into coverage will force Herbert to hesitate and make it harder for him to find his targets down the field. These are the kinds of adjustments that can turn a rough performance into a more cohesive, competitive effort next week.

The AFC West Picture: A Wake-Up Call for the Chiefs

The loss to the Chargers was more than just a setback; it was a wake-up call. The Chiefs have now lost their early divisional tiebreaker to the Chargers, which could play a critical role down the line. The Chargers snapped their seven-game losing streak to the Chiefs, and Herbert looked comfortable throughout the game. The Chiefs now have a major challenge ahead: responding to this loss with a cleaner start next week.

The good news is that there’s plenty of time to fix these issues. The Chiefs will face the Eagles on September 14th, which will be a measuring stick game. It’s a chance to reset the narrative and get back on track before the season picks up steam. For now, Chiefs Kingdom can breathe a little easier—it’s just Week 1. The tape might be ugly in spots, but the fixes are on the menu, and the season is still long.

Fan Questions: Your Thoughts on the Chiefs’ Future

Who’s your top winner from Brazil? Pacheco’s tone-setting, Kelce’s late-game work, or Brownley’s spark?
What was the biggest concern? WR consistency or the non-Jones pass rush?
If Rice returns and Royals gets healthy, which WR sits when the rotation tightens?

The Chiefs’ 2025 season is just getting started. There’s plenty of time to adjust, but how they respond to this early loss will shape the trajectory of the season. With Mahomes at the helm and a chance to make key changes, the Chiefs still have what it takes to contend for another Super Bowl. Chiefs Kingdom, stay tuned!