The Los Angeles Chargers defied the odds on Friday night, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 27-21, to get off to a 1-0 start and get what feels like the team’s biggest win in years.
Whenever you defeat Patrick Mahomes and end a 7-game losing streak against a team, there can’t be too many negatives. And truthfully, many players on the Chargers’ roster could be listed in the “studs” section here, as it was a great team effort to get this win.
But instead, we’ll discuss a few players who stood out one way or another in this game and see what kind of impact they had on the overall result.
Stud- Justin Herbert, QB
This is the only place to start as you can easily argue that this is the best game that Justin Herbert has played in his five-year career thus far.
Herbert completed 25 of his 34 throws for 318 yards in this game while tossing three touchdowns. But it was the way in which he got it done. He made great reads all night and put the ball where it needed to be. Then, when the team needed a huge play to prevent Mahomes from having one last chance, he came up with a remarkable 19-yard run to seal the victory on 3rd-and-14.
When talking to Stacy Dales after the game, Herbert was nonchalant and said it was “just like any other game”, but that’s saying what he’s supposed to say. There’s no way he believes that. This win was extra special.
Stud- Quentin Johnston, WR
Quentin Johnston should be the most encouraging name to see on this list, as he seemed certain to find his role on offense decreased after the way he looked this summer and with rookies Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith emerging for the team.
Johnston caught five passes for 79 yards in this game and scored two touchdowns. He would have had another one if his familiar issue with drops didn’t pop up, but he was able to get separation and be wide open on several other plays where the ball was not thrown his way. This was an encouraging performance for him.
Dud- Najee Harris, RB
It was announced that Najee Harris would suit up for the team despite plenty of uncertainty, but it ended up being for close to nothing. Harris had two touches on the night (one carry, one catch). He will likely be more involved with the offense going forward but he was clearly not a big part of the game plan for this one.
Stud- Keenan Allen, WR
Keenan Allen returned to L.A. by catching seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. He was the most targeted receiver in the passing game with 10, showing that Herbert still looks for his old No. 1 receiver every chance he can.
Anyone who felt that Allen may have a lesser role with this team this season after coming back was always going to be incorrect, and this game showed that he will get as many looks as guys like Johnston and Ladd McConkey all season.
The Chargers will now have an extended break before facing the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football in Week 2.
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