World-class brilliance wasn’t enough for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as they stumbled to a 27-21 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers in their 2025 NFL season opener in São Paulo. Despite pulling off one of the most spectacular highlights of the night, Mahomes admitted that the team’s struggles came down to one glaring issue—execution.
A jaw-dropping play, but not enough
Early in the fourth quarter, Mahomes once again reminded fans why he is regarded as the most electrifying quarterback in the NFL. With his body stretched parallel to the ground, he fired a 12-yard strike to JuJu Smith-Schuster, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, as Patrick Mahomes himself admitted post-game, one magical play could not rescue the Chiefs from a night of costly mistakes.
Justin Herbert took full advantage, tearing apart Steve Spagnuolo’s defense with 318 passing yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 35 yards on the ground, including a decisive 19-yard scramble before the two-minute warning.
Patrick Mahomes points to missed opportunities
After posting 258 passing yards, two total touchdowns, and 57 rushing yards, Mahomes refused to place blame elsewhere. Instead, he delivered a blunt assessment of his performance and the team’s shortcomings.
"If I can hit some of those throws early, it kind of loosens up the defense," Mahomes admitted. "Teams are too good in this league. We've got to learn fast."
The defeat marked Kansas City’s first Week 1 loss in nearly a decade, ending a nine-game winning streak in season openers. For Patrick Mahomes, the focus now shifts to making sure execution improves immediately.
Injuries and absences add to the challenge
The Chiefs’ offensive struggles were compounded by key personnel issues. Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy exited in the first quarter after colliding with Travis Kelce, who remained quiet until finding the end zone late. Meanwhile, Rashee Rice served his suspension and Jalen Royals was sidelined, leaving Mahomes with a limited arsenal of trusted targets.
Despite those obstacles, the quarterback still showcased flashes of his trademark improvisation—lowering his shoulder on runs, extending plays under pressure, and connecting with Marquise Brown on a gutsy 49-yard strike. Yet, even vintage Mahomes couldn’t overcome costly penalties and defensive breakdowns.
Looking ahead to Philadelphia test
Kansas City’s next assignment is no easier. They now face the Philadelphia Eagles, who opened their campaign with a 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. With Jalen Hurts and rookie sensation Jalen Carter waiting, the Chiefs must elevate their game or risk falling into an early-season slump.
Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the reality: "We're going to get everybody's best. We have to play up to that standard if we want to win."
The Chargers exposed cracks in Kansas City’s system. Against a stacked Eagles roster, those cracks could widen unless Mahomes and the Chiefs turn words into execution.