By Angelica Medina
(Reuters) -The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are ready to electrify Brazil in the two teams’ season opener, bringing AFC West drama to Sao Paulo on Friday in a rare international clash between division rivals.
The National Football League is returning to Brazil for the second year running, with Chiefs-Chargers standing as the only divisional clash among seven international games this year – a departure from the usual format pairing non-division opponents.
Both teams arrive seeking redemption from crushing 2024 defeats. The Chiefs’ hopes of a third consecutive Super Bowl title were dashed in a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, while the Chargers suffered a 32-12 defeat to Houston in the wild-card round.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes enters the spotlight after his previously unstoppable offense showed signs of weakness, posting career lows in 2024 with just 245.5 passing yards per game and 6.8 yards per attempt – his first sub-4,000-yard season since becoming a starter in 2018.
“Ultimately, we’re here to play football in front of a great fan base. We accepted the challenge, and we’re playing against a division opponent, so it’ll be a good test,” the two-time MVP told reporters on Thursday.
The 28-year-old star player will need renewed input from his supporting cast. With wide receiver Rashee Rice suspended for six games for breaking the league’s personal conduct policy and rookie Jalen Royals sidelined by injury, the onus is on Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Travis Kelce to step up.
The spotlight will particularly fall on Kelce, whose recent engagement to Taylor Swift has unleashed euphoria worldwide, with Brazilian fans desperate for a pop star cameo at the sold-out Corinthians Arena.
“Ever since I started dating Taylor, life has been fun. Obviously, there are a lot more eyes on me, but I’ve accepted that. I’m feeling young and ready to rock,” Kelce told reporters.
“We have a good following here in Brazil. The league is expanding all over the world, and it’s great to see everyone getting excited about a game we’ve loved since childhood,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has completely overhauled quarterback Justin Herbert’s supporting cast.
He drafted running back Omarion Hampton in the first round, and receiver Tre Harris in the second round. He also signed Najee Harris and welcomed back veteran Keenan Allen for his 12th season after a year away.
“This is a big game for us. You want to start the season on the right foot. We are trying to focus in the same way that the Chiefs are,” Harbaugh told a press conference on Wednesday.
Herbert, 28, also expressed his excitement and addressed concerns about the field conditions after players from the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers described the grass as “slippery” last year.
“It’s something we need to address before the game, but as long as we’re wearing the right cleats and are properly equipped, I think we’ll be able to handle it,” Herbert told reporters.
Despite Kansas City’s seven-game winning streak against Los Angeles, Friday represents the Chargers’ opportunity to turn things around and suggest that this could be the Bolts’ year under Harbaugh’s leadership.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
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