Chargers vs Chiefs Match Player Stats: Full Breakdown of Herbert vs Mahomes Battle
The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs are two of the biggest teams in the AFC West. Every time they play, fans want to know the full player stats. In the 2025 NFL season, these two teams met twice. Both games were close and full of big moments. This article looks at the player stats from both games. It also explains what these numbers mean for the teams going forward.
Game One: The Season Opener in Brazil
The 2025 NFL season started with a special game. The Chargers and Chiefs played the first game of the year in São Paulo, Brazil. The match was held at Corinthians Arena, and it was streamed live on YouTube. This was a big deal because it was the first time an NFL game was played in South America two years in a row.
The Chargers had lost seven games in a row against the Chiefs before this match. That losing streak ended in Brazil. Los Angeles won the game 27-21. It was their first win over Kansas City since September 2021.
Justin Herbert’s stats were excellent in this game. He threw for 318 passing yards. He also threw 3 touchdowns and zero interceptions. This kind of clean, aggressive performance showed why many analysts see Herbert as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Patrick Mahomes also played well, but the Chiefs still lost. Mahomes threw for 258 passing yards. He added 2 total touchdowns and even picked up 57 rushing yards. Mahomes is known for using his legs when a play breaks down, and he did that again in this game. Still, it was not enough to beat a hot Chargers offense.
One player who stood out for Los Angeles was wide receiver Quentin Johnston. He caught 5 passes for 79 receiving yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Johnston has had an up and down career, but this game showed his potential as a big-play receiver. His two scores were a key reason why the Chargers offense looked so sharp on that day.
This win in Brazil sent a message. The Chargers were no longer the team that always lost to Kansas City. They looked confident, fast, and ready to compete at the top of the AFC West.
Game Two: A Painful Ending for Kansas City
The two teams met again on December 14, 2025. This time, the Chargers hosted the Chiefs. The game did not start well for Los Angeles. Kansas City led 13-3 at halftime, and it looked like the Chiefs might get revenge for their loss earlier in the season.
But the second half told a different story. The Chargers came back strong. They took the lead in the third quarter and held on to win 16-13. This gave Los Angeles a season sweep over Kansas City, something that would have seemed hard to imagine just a year earlier.
Justin Herbert did not have his biggest passing game in this match, but he still made plays when it mattered. He finished with 210 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. It was not as clean as his performance in Brazil, but it was good enough to help his team win a tough, low-scoring battle.
Patrick Mahomes struggled more in this game. He threw for 189 passing yards and had 1 interception. But the biggest story of the night had nothing to do with stats. Late in the fourth quarter, with 1:43 left on the clock, Mahomes tore his ACL while trying to extend a play. This injury ended his season and became one of the most talked about moments in the entire NFL year. Fans and analysts across the league reacted with concern, since Mahomes is one of the most important players in modern football.
In the running game, Omarion Hampton led the Chargers with 15 carries for 61 yards. On the other side, Isiah Pacheco ran the ball 11 times for 21 yards for Kansas City. This showed that Los Angeles had more success on the ground in this matchup.
In the passing game, Travis Kelce was still a reliable target for Kansas City. He caught 7 passes for 70 yards. For the Chargers, Keenan Allen added 5 receptions for 36 yards. Kelce’s numbers remind fans why he remains one of the top tight ends in the league, even during a tough season for his team.
What These Stats Tell Us About the Rivalry
When you look at the full picture from both games, a few things stand out.
First, Justin Herbert had a strong season against the Chiefs. Across both matchups, he threw 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions. That is a very impressive stat line against one of the best defenses and one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It shows growth and confidence in Herbert’s game.
Second, the Chargers’ defense played a big role in both wins. Players like Derwin James, Odafe Oweh, and Khalil Mack helped put pressure on Kansas City’s offense. Their pressure likely played a part in the tough situations that led to Mahomes’ late-game injury risk in the second matchup.
Third, this rivalry is changing. For years, Kansas City controlled the AFC West and beat the Chargers again and again. In 2025, that pattern broke. Los Angeles proved they could win in different ways, first with a high scoring shootout in Brazil, and then with a defensive battle at home.
Finally, the loss of Mahomes to a torn ACL is a huge deal for Kansas City moving forward. He is the heart of their offense, and his recovery will shape how competitive the Chiefs are in 2026. Fans will be watching closely to see how he returns and how the team manages without him during his recovery period.
Looking Ahead
With Mahomes recovering and the Chargers building strong momentum, this rivalry is set to be even more interesting the next time these two teams face off. The Chargers proved in 2025 that they belong in the conversation as true contenders in the AFC West, not just a team chasing Kansas City.
Player stats tell only part of the story, but in this case, they tell a clear one. Herbert outplayed Mahomes in key moments, the Chargers defense stepped up, and the balance of power in the AFC West started to shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who had better stats, Justin Herbert or Patrick Mahomes, in the 2025 matchups?
Justin Herbert had the better overall numbers. Across both games, he threw for a combined 528 passing yards and 4 touchdowns without a single interception. Mahomes also played well but did not match Herbert’s turnover-free performance.
What happened to Patrick Mahomes in the December 2025 game?
Mahomes tore his ACL late in the fourth quarter while trying to extend a play. The injury happened with 1:43 left on the clock and ended his season.
Did the Los Angeles Chargers sweep the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 season?
Yes. The Chargers won both games against the Chiefs in 2025. They won 27-21 in the season opener in Brazil and 16-13 in the December matchup at home.
