The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers will kick off the 2025 regular season tonight in São Paulo, Brazil. The stadium looks fantastic, the NFL is back, and for the boys in red, it’s their chance to bounce back from their embarrassing Super Bowl LIX loss.
It’s been a long road back to the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs. They missed their chance to make NFL history with three straight Super Bowl wins, but their entire offseason has led them to this moment.
They have a chance against a division rival to set the tone for what will be a tough road back to the Super Bowl. Most NFL experts have predicted the Chiefs will lose to the Chargers or the Denver Broncos, ending their nine-game streak of AFC West titles.
However, Kansas City comes into this game with a chip on its shoulder and something to prove to the NFL that last year was just a blip on the radar, and they are determined to keep their dynasty alive.
Facing a familiar opponent softens the pain of having to travel nearly 12 hours to showcase their talent on a world stage. As the top team in the NFL and its biggest cash generator in the country, the AFC West battle is an ideal setting for this matchup in Brazil.
The Chiefs have a few question marks, but five players need to shine tonight to help the Chiefs start the season with a win.
LT Josh Simmons – He might be the most highly anticipated rookie in team history after Derrick Thomas. Both were celebrated recruits, star college players, and first-round draft picks.
Simmons played every snap at left tackle during the off-season, training camp, and three preseason games. He has taken on the responsibility of protecting franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He’ll have to contend with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipuloto.
LG Kingsley Suamataia – The former BYU standout faces more pressure than any other Chiefs player. It might seem unfair, but the Chiefs have given him a second chance to redeem his high-profile draft status in 2024.
Now he can demonstrate that loyalty will be rewarded. The good news is that he appears to have developed solid run blocking skills, but his pass blocking needs improvement. The Chargers will throw stunts at him, but if he can hold off the pass rush an extra second, that should be enough to give Mahomes more time in the pocket.
WR Hollywood Brown – After being taken off the injury list, the Chiefs will finally see what Brown can contribute to the offense. Following an injury-filled 2024 season and missing most of training camp due to an ankle/foot injury, Head Coach Andy Reid, along with Brown, confirmed that he is healthy and prepared to start the season.
He’s always been injury-prone, but with Rashee Rice suspended and rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals, who didn’t make the trip to Brazil, injured, he becomes more valuable to the offense. Though he played limited snaps last season, I’ll be curious to see how he performs at the start of the 2025 season.
DT Derrick Nnadi – Last season in a Chiefs uniform, Nnadi was a friendly rotational player for Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Kansas City did not extend a contract offer for Nnadi, who signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. However, after the Chiefs decided to release fan-favorite Mike Pennel, Nnadi was traded back to Kansas City.
I’m not sure what to expect from Nnadi, but his familiarity with the Chiefs’ defense should help him handle the middle, allowing Chris Jones to attack Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
TE Travis Kelce – In what could be his final season, Kelce will remain the focal point of this offense. With speedy receivers and a variety of solid tight ends on the roster, he has a chance to reset expectations. Most believe he’s lost a step, but I contend he’s in the best shape of his post-thirty career.
If he can showcase those flashes on opening night against a team he’s dominated throughout his Hall of Fame career, he could set the tone for the offense. Plus, with his fiancée, Taylor Swift, possibly at the game, he’ll have more attention on him than any other player on the field Friday night.
Score Prediction:
Chiefs 34 – Chargers 17
