Jim Harbaugh Says Chargers Beating Chiefs in Brazil Was Monumental

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh operated as “Captain Comeback” during his career as an NFL passer.

From where Harbaugh’s sitting – er, reveling – his team’s bicontinental fan base will come back to Friday’s win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for years to come.

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

Two parts of that three-pronged statement don’t qualify as hyperbole on Sept. 6. It’s early, of course, but for a franchise seeking better juju – ideally some in the stratosphere of its AFC West rival – the Chargers could do worse than this season-opening 27-21 victory against the defending conference champs.

Motivated by his playoff flop in Houston to end the 2024 campaign, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert shined, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns while adding a chapter to franchise history.

Only two other quarterbacks in LA and San Diego lore (there’s that word again) have passed for 300 yards and three scores to start a season – Dan Fouts and Philip Rivers.

Herbert flexed his mobility in key spots, too, none bigger than a 19-yard scramble on a third-and-14 with 2:21 remaining to thwart KC’s comeback hopes.

“Just overall toughness,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, just a complete stalwart. He took some big hits, gave a few shots himself.”

Indeed, Herbert absorbed three sacks, but the Chargers defense answered with a pair of its own. Defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand helped create havoc for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. with a sack and tackle for loss.

A smooth attack and solid defense added up to the Chargers ending the Chiefs’ league-record streak of 17 consecutive wins in one-possession games.

Before Friday, seven of the eight games pitting Herbert against Mahomes were decided by one score, with the Chiefs going 7-1 overall in their meetings.

Kansas City fell short in its bid last season to become the first team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions. Now, the Chiefs’ quest to host three Lombardi Trophies in four years faces an uphill climb.

It’s not so much the standings and schedule as the thinning personnel. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy sustained a right shoulder injury after colliding with teammate Travis Kelce on the Chiefs’ third offensive snap, adding to a list of wounded or woebegone wideouts that includes Jalen Royals (knee) and Rashee Rice (suspension).

Chargers fans and Chiefs loathers worldwide likely seethed when Mahomes added another clutch connection to his resume, hitting Hollywood Brown on a wide-open deep ball on fourth-and-7 late in the fourth quarter.

Set up inside the Los Angeles 10-yard line, the Chiefs settled for a field goal to trim the deficit to the final margin. Thanks to Herbert and Co., they didn’t get the ball back. Forget that here-we-go-again malaise.

Kansas City will host Los Angeles in Week 15, when both teams’ 2025 fortunes figure to be far more firm.

Until then, the Chargers hold the upper hand after earning their first victory against the Chiefs since Sept. 26, 2021.

“Who’s got it better than us?!?” Harbaugh shouted to the postgame locker room, signaling a prompt.

“NOBODY!” the Chargers replied.

Well, there is the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, a narrow victor against a division foe the night before, but you get the point.