The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to the big stage. But this Friday, when they open the 2025 NFL season against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, the lights will shine a little differently.
The Chiefs Aim to Keep Perfect International Record
It will be the fourth time Kansas City has played a regular-season game outside the United States—and so far, they have never lost one. From a 45–10 demolition of the Detroit Lions at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2015, to a nail-biting 24–17 victory over the Chargers in Mexico City in 2019, and a disciplined 21–14 win over the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt in 2023, the Chiefs have built a reputation for thriving abroad.
This latest trip comes at a crucial moment. The Chiefs are still reeling from their Super Bowl LIX defeat, a loss that left a sour taste after another season of dominance. But if history is a guide, international soil has often provided Kansas City with the perfect reset button.
A Timely Boost on Offense
The team’s preparations received a lift this week as wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown returned to practice after a preseason injury scare. With Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games, Brown’s speed and playmaking will be key, alongside rookie Xavier Worthy and the ever-reliable Travis Kelce.
Depth at tight end could also be a difference-maker. Robert Tonyan, now entering his eighth NFL season, has quickly impressed during the preseason and is expected to feature prominently. His experience with the Packers, Bears, and Vikings offers Kansas City another trusted option in an already loaded position group.
Respect for Harbaugh’s Chargers
Yet even with the Chiefs’ overseas pedigree, the Chargers loom as a dangerous obstacle. Under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, L.A. is determined to turn promise into production. Last season, their defense ranked No. 1 in points allowed (17.7 per game), stifling opponents with a mix of speed, discipline, and physicality.
Andy Reid, who begins his 26th season as an NFL head coach, was quick to acknowledge the challenge.
“You know they’re well coached,” Reid said Tuesday. “They’re not trying to give up the big play, but at the same time they attack underneath. Those front guys, I mean, Khalil Mack is a heck of a player, and Derwin James isn’t bad either.”
Reid added that season openers often require adjustments on the fly: “Like any year, early in the season, you’ve got to be ready and flexible to adjust with new things that might come up.”
What is at Stake
For the Chiefs, Friday’s contest isn’t just about starting 1–0. It’s about reasserting their place among the NFL’s elite, shaking off last season’s heartbreak, and extending an international streak that has become a unique part of the franchise’s identity.
Reid’s side, who swept Los Angeles last season, and with the second victory, dramatically clinched the AFC West title at Arrowhead Stadium, was set to depart for Brazil on Wednesday evening.
The 2022 and 2023 Super Bowl winners will travel on charter flights and will likely have a nonstop route, putting them closer to the 10-hour range to São Paulo, Brazil.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
