Can the Chargers Shock the Chiefs in Brazil?
When the Los Angeles Chargers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, the spotlight will shine brightly on Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, and the new-look Chargers under Jim Harbaugh. The reigning Super Bowl contenders come in as the 3.5 point favorites, but if Harbaugh’s squad wants to make an immediate statement, there’s no bigger stage than upsetting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in front of an international audience.
For the Chargers to pull off the upset, they’ll need more than just Herbert’s rocket arm and Allen’s precise route running. Here are three keys to a potential victory:
1. Get After Patrick Mahomes
It’s no secret: slowing down Mahomes starts with pressure. The Chargers’ pass rush, led by Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack, must make Mahomes uncomfortable in the pocket. Harbaugh’s defensive schemes need to collapse the Chiefs’ protection and force Mahomes into hurried throws. If the Chargers allow him time, Mahomes will pick them apart with his creativity and vision.
2. Shut Down the Run Game
While Mahomes garners the headlines, Kansas City’s balance comes from their ground attack. Isiah Pacheco runs with relentless energy, and stopping him early will put the Chiefs in more predictable passing downs. The Chargers’ front seven will have to win at the line of scrimmage and prevent second-and-short situations, making the Chiefs’ offense one-dimensional.
3. Win the Turnover Battle
In a game of this magnitude, one mistake can flip momentum. Herbert and the offense must protect the football, while the defense has to find ways to steal extra possessions. Whether it’s an interception, a forced fumble, or special teams creating havoc, the Chargers must capitalize on turnovers to give Herbert and Allen more opportunities to attack Kansas City’s secondary.
The Bottom Line
Jim Harbaugh didn’t come back to the NFL just to play it safe—he came back to win. If Herbert and Allen can set the tone on offense while the defense executes these three keys, the Chargers could walk out of Brazil with more than just international exposure. They could leave with the NFL’s first major upset of the season.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com