Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats Breakdown 2026

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats Breakdown 2026

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers match player stats have become one of the most searched topics among NFL fans in 2026. These two AFC West powerhouses collided twice during the 2025 NFL season, delivering drama, elite quarterback play, and unforgettable moments.

Whether you follow fantasy football, study game film, or simply love the sport, this detailed breakdown gives you every key number, every standout performance, and every stat that shaped these matchups.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats: Game 1: Chargers 27-21 Chiefs — Week 1 in São Paulo, Brazil (September 5, 2025)

The 2025 NFL season opened in South America for the second straight year. The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs were the headliners, and the game delivered in every way.

Game Summary

The Chargers snapped a seven-game losing skid against Kansas City with a 27-21 win. It was Los Angeles’ first victory over the Chiefs since September 26, 2021. The game was played at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, streamed on YouTube.

Justin Herbert Quarterback Stats — Game 1

Herbert played the best game of his career against Mahomes. He finished with 318 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions on 25-of-34 attempts.

His passer rating was a remarkable 131.7. He also added 32 rushing yards on 7 carries, including a game-sealing 19-yard scramble in the final minutes.

Stat Justin Herbert
Completions/Attempts 25/34
Passing Yards 318
Touchdowns 3
Interceptions 0
Passer Rating 131.7
Rushing Yards 32

Patrick Mahomes Quarterback Stats — Game 1

Mahomes had a tough night by his standards. He went 24-of-39 for 258 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. He was sacked twice and couldn’t overcome the Chargers’ early momentum.

His lone touchdown was a 37-yard strike to Travis Kelce in the fourth quarter. A 2-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Chiefs trailing the whole way.

Stat Patrick Mahomes
Completions/Attempts 24/39
Passing Yards 258
Touchdowns 1
Interceptions 0
Sacks Taken 2

Key Receivers — Game 1

Quentin Johnston was Herbert’s go-to weapon. He caught two touchdown passes, including a 5-yard score on the opening drive and a 23-yard catch with 5:02 remaining that pushed the lead to 26-18.

Keenan Allen caught an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Travis Kelce remained active for Kansas City with his 37-yard TD reception being the only highlight in an otherwise quiet night for the Chiefs’ offense.

Player Team Rec Yards TDs
Quentin Johnston LAC 4 58 2
Keenan Allen LAC 5 45 1
Ladd McConkey LAC 4 42 0
Travis Kelce KC 4 55 1
JuJu Smith-Schuster KC 3 28 0

Rushing Stats — Game 1

Neither team ran the ball especially well. The Chargers leaned on Herbert’s legs late in the game. Omarion Hampton, a Chiefs rookie first-round pick, had a costly mistake — he ran out of bounds on third-and-16 in the final minute, stopping the clock and allowing the Chargers to kick a field goal.

Defensive Highlights — Game 1

Khalil Mack applied consistent pressure on Mahomes all night, contributing to both sacks. The Chargers’ defense forced Kansas City into multiple three-and-outs in the second half. George Karlaftis was flagged for roughing the passer on a key drive, reflecting how the Chiefs’ offense struggled with penalties and execution.

Game 2: Chargers 16-13 Chiefs — Week 15 in Kansas City (December 14, 2025)

The rematch at Arrowhead Stadium was even more dramatic — and devastating for Kansas City. The Chargers won again, eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention, and watched Patrick Mahomes leave the field with a torn ACL.

Game Summary

Kansas City led 13-3 at halftime. Los Angeles stormed back in the second half, and the Chargers pulled ahead 16-13 in the third quarter. Mahomes tore his ACL trying to extend a play with 1:43 left. Gardner Minshew replaced him and threw a final interception to Derwin James, sealing the Chargers’ win.

Justin Herbert Quarterback Stats — Game 2

Herbert played through a broken left hand. Despite the injury, he completed 19-of-29 passes for 210 yards and 1 touchdown. He averaged 7.2 yards per attempt and took 4 sacks.

His clutch moment came late in the second quarter. Trailing 13-3, he completed three passes in 33 seconds to cover 60 yards, finding KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 16-yard touchdown with 5 seconds left before halftime. That swing changed the game completely.

Stat Justin Herbert
Completions/Attempts 19/29
Passing Yards 210
Touchdowns 1
Interceptions 0
Yards per Attempt 7.2
Sacks Taken 4

Patrick Mahomes Quarterback Stats — Game 2

Mahomes finished with 189 passing yards on 16-of-28 attempts before his season-ending injury. He scored the game’s first touchdown with a 12-yard rushing score on the opening drive.

He had 0 interceptions but could not sustain drives in the second half. When he went down with 1:43 remaining, the Chiefs trailed by 3 and Gardner Minshew could not save them.

Stat Patrick Mahomes
Completions/Attempts 16/28
Passing Yards 189
Touchdowns 1 (rush)
Interceptions 0
Status Left with torn ACL

Team Stats Comparison — Game 2

The Chargers dominated time of possession and total yardage. Los Angeles controlled the ball for over 34 minutes compared to Kansas City’s 25. That time-of-possession edge directly limited Mahomes’ opportunities and helped the Chargers’ defense wear down Kansas City’s patchwork offensive line.

Category LAC KC
Total Yards 295 239
Passing Yards 201 190
Rushing Yards 94 49
Time of Possession 34:42 25:18
Total Plays 62 59
Yards Per Play 4.8 4.1
Turnovers 1 2
Rush Average 3.2 2.3

Key Receivers — Game 2

Keenan Allen played a central role in Herbert’s comeback drive. Rashee Rice led Kansas City in receiving, catching multiple passes from Mahomes before the injury. Xavier Worthy caught a 26-yard gain on Kansas City’s final offensive drive.

Player Team Rec Yards TDs
Keenan Allen LAC 7 72 0
KeAndre Lambert-Smith LAC 2 24 1
Tre’ Harris LAC 1 37 0
Rashee Rice KC 4 30 0
Xavier Worthy KC 2 29 0
Travis Kelce KC 3 22 0

Defensive Stats — Game 2

Odafe Oweh was the Chargers’ defensive standout with 2 sacks and 4 tackles. Da’Shawn Hand recorded the sack that ended Mahomes’ season. Derwin James sealed the win with his interception of Gardner Minshew’s final desperation heave toward Travis Kelce. The Chargers held Kansas City to just 49 rushing yards at a 2.3-yard average.

Head-to-Head History: Chiefs vs Chargers All-Time

These two AFC West rivals have met 128 times since 1960. Kansas City holds the all-time edge with 70 wins to the Chargers’ 57. However, the 2025 season flipped the script — Los Angeles won both matchups, ended the Chiefs’ season, and knocked them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Category Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers
All-Time Wins 70 57
2025 Season Record vs Each Other 0-2 2-0
Points Per Game (2025 matchups) 17 21.5
Herbert vs Mahomes Record 3-7 (Herbert leads 2025)

Patrick Mahomes 2025 Season Overview

Mahomes entered 2025 coming off a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His season-long stats showed 3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. He owns a career passer rating of 102.1 and has thrown for 35,939 yards over his career. His torn ACL in December ended his season early and marked the Chiefs’ most painful campaign in over a decade.

He had won 17 straight one-possession games before Herbert broke that streak in Brazil. His legacy in this rivalry remains dominant overall, but 2025 belonged to his rival.

Justin Herbert 2025 Season Overview

Herbert finished the 2024 season with 3,870 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions. His 23-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio ranked eighth all-time in NFL history for quarterbacks with at least 15 touchdown passes in a single season.

In 2025, Herbert built on that momentum immediately. His Week 1 performance — 318 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 131.7 passer rating — was the second time he ever beat Mahomes head-to-head, and arguably the best game of his career. Coach Jim Harbaugh called September 5 a day that would live in Chargers history.

Quentin Johnston’s Breakout in This Rivalry

Quentin Johnston emerged as a key weapon for Herbert in both matchups. He caught 2 touchdown passes in the São Paulo game, including the go-ahead score with 5:02 remaining. His ability to win on jump balls and contested catches made him a nightmare for Kansas City’s cornerbacks.

Johnston’s speed and size created mismatches that Mahomes’ defense had no answer for. His connection with Herbert continued to grow throughout the 2025 season.

Travis Kelce’s 2025 Rivalry Performance

Travis Kelce entered 2025 in what many expected could be the final season of a legendary career. He came in with 10 straight Pro Bowl appearances and three Lombardi Trophies. Against the Chargers in Week 1, he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass — a highlight moment in an otherwise disappointing night for Kansas City.

In Game 2, Kelce was targeted on the game’s final play, a desperation heave from Minshew that Derwin James intercepted. It was a painful ending to his team’s season and possibly a defining image of 2025 for Chiefs fans.

Keenan Allen’s Veteran Presence

Keenan Allen anchored Herbert’s receiving corps in both games. He is consistently Herbert’s security blanket on third downs and in red-zone situations. In the December game, he caught 7 passes for 72 yards and was involved in the late comeback drive that swung the momentum.

His route running and precision helped Herbert convert critical third downs against Kansas City’s defense. Allen remains one of the most reliable targets in AFC West play.

Omarion Hampton’s Costly Mistake

The Chiefs’ first-round rookie running back Omarion Hampton made a critical error in the Brazil game. On third-and-16 in the final minute with no timeouts, he received a handoff and ran out of bounds — stopping the clock instead of staying inbounds to run it down. That mistake allowed the Chargers to kick a field goal and push the lead to 13-6 at halftime.

It was a costly lesson for a young player in a high-pressure international game. Hampton’s error underlined how inexperience can cost teams in tight rivalry matchups.

Derwin James: The Chiefs’ Nightmare

Derwin James was a thorn in Kansas City’s side throughout the 2025 season. His interception of Gardner Minshew’s final pass in December sealed the win and eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention. He consistently disrupted Mahomes’ timing with aggressive coverage over the middle and blitz packages that forced hurried throws. His impact went beyond box scores — he changed how Kansas City’s offense approached the game in the second half.

Cameron Dicker: The Quiet Hero

Cameron Dicker went 3-for-3 on field goals in the December game, including a clutch 49-yarder in cold and windy conditions at Arrowhead that gave Los Angeles its first lead of the day. He was accurate all season and came through in both AFC West meetings. His leg proved reliable when the Chargers needed to extend drives into points.

Khalil Mack’s Pass Rush Impact

Khalil Mack disrupted Mahomes’ rhythm throughout the Brazil game. He was a key factor in both Mahomes sacks and consistently forced the two-time MVP out of the pocket. His edge rush made the game uncomfortable for Kansas City’s offense from the start. Combined with a disciplined secondary, the Chargers’ front seven made Mahomes look like a different player than the one who had dominated this rivalry for years.

Key Injuries That Shaped the 2025 Matchups

Injuries played a major role in how both games developed. Mahomes tore his ACL late in Game 2, ending his season. Tyquan Thornton entered the concussion protocol after a late hit in the same game. Herbert played Game 2 with a broken left hand and still outplayed Mahomes. Trent McDuffie was inactive for Kansas City in Game 2 with a knee injury, weakening their secondary against Herbert’s precision passing.

AFC West Implications

The Chargers’ sweep of the Chiefs had massive divisional consequences. Los Angeles finished 10-4 after the December game and secured back-to-back 10-win seasons under Jim Harbaugh. The Chiefs fell to 6-8 and were officially eliminated from the playoffs — their first postseason absence since 2014. This shift in AFC West power made the 2025 season a turning point for the division.

What the Stats Tell Us About This Rivalry in 2026

Looking at both games together, a clear picture emerges. Herbert outplayed Mahomes in both matchups. The Chargers dominated time of possession, red-zone efficiency, and turnover margin across both games. Los Angeles went 2-0 against Kansas City for the first time since 2021.

The stats reveal that Herbert’s improvement in ball protection — 0 interceptions across both games — was decisive. Mahomes faced a more physical, better-coached defense under Jim Harbaugh than in previous years. The numbers show this rivalry shifting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who won the Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers games in 2025?

The Los Angeles Chargers won both matchups in 2025. They won 27-21 in São Paulo on September 5 and 16-13 in Kansas City on December 14.

Q2: What were Justin Herbert’s stats against the Chiefs in 2025?

In Game 1, Herbert had 318 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. In Game 2, he had 210 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs, playing through a broken hand.

Q3: What were Patrick Mahomes’ stats in the 2025 Chiefs vs Chargers games?

Mahomes had 258 yards and 1 TD in the Brazil game, and 189 yards and 1 rushing TD in December before suffering a torn ACL late in the game.

Q4: What injury did Patrick Mahomes suffer against the Chargers?

Mahomes tore his ACL in his left knee during the December 14, 2025 game at Arrowhead Stadium with 1:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Q5: How many times has Justin Herbert beaten Patrick Mahomes?

Herbert improved to a 3-7 record against Mahomes with the 2025 wins. Both 2025 victories came in the same season for the first time in Herbert’s career.

Q6: Who was the top receiver in the Chargers vs Chiefs games in 2025?

Quentin Johnston had 2 touchdowns in the Brazil game. Keenan Allen led receiving in Game 2 with 7 catches for 72 yards and was the most consistent performer across both matchups.

Q7: Which team had better rushing stats in the 2025 Chiefs vs Chargers matchups?

The Chargers led in both games. In Game 2, Los Angeles rushed for 94 yards at 3.2 per carry versus Kansas City’s 49 yards at 2.3 per carry.

Q8: Who sealed the Chargers’ win over the Chiefs in December 2025?

Derwin James intercepted Gardner Minshew’s final pass intended for Travis Kelce with 20 seconds remaining, sealing the 16-13 victory and eliminating Kansas City from playoff contention.

Q9: What was the all-time head-to-head record between Chiefs and Chargers entering 2026?

Kansas City leads the all-time series 70-57 through 128 games since 1960. However, Los Angeles won both 2025 meetings and now leads the recent head-to-head trend.

Q10: What did the Chargers’ wins over the Chiefs mean for the AFC West in 2025?

The sweep helped Los Angeles finish 10-4 and reach the playoffs for a second straight year, while Kansas City missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Conclusion

The Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers match player stats from 2025 tell the story of a rivalry at a crossroads. Justin Herbert posted back-to-back dominant performances against the best quarterback of his generation, throwing 4 touchdowns with 0 interceptions across both games.

The Chargers’ defense, led by Derwin James, Odafe Oweh, and Khalil Mack, disrupted and ultimately ended Mahomes’ season. Kansas City’s dynasty showed cracks for the first time in years, while Los Angeles proved their 2024 resurgence was no fluke.

With Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL and the Chargers carrying fresh momentum into 2026, this rivalry is only getting more compelling. The stats do not lie — 2025 was the year the Chargers finally became the AFC West’s true contenders, and the numbers back it up completely.