What a chaotic way to kick off the 2025 NFL season! The Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil, but it wasn't long before disaster struck.

Losing receiver Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury just three plays in was a tough blow. The Chiefs' struggles didn’t stop there, as defensive coverage crumbled and they couldn’t contain quarterback Justin Herbert, resulting in a painful 27-21 defeat.

Winners

**Patrick Mahomes:** The magic man was at it again. Despite missing chances, Mahomes showcased his extraordinary skills, racking up a jaw-dropping 315 total yards. He led the team in rushing and found the end zone both on the ground and through the air. If only the Chiefs had another shot at the ball at the end of the game, who knows what spectacular moments we might have seen?

**Travis Kelce:** The star tight end may have caught only two passes, but one was a spectacular 37-yard touchdown. Kelce also stepped into a leadership role, holding teammates accountable when they slipped up. That's the kind of impact we expect from him!

**Drue Tranquill:** Amidst a lackluster performance from the defense, linebacker Tranquill stood out. With five tackles, two for a loss, and two sacks against his former team, he displayed both fire and leadership, ensuring that every player was on their toes.

**Trent McDuffie:** If anyone shined in the Chiefs' secondary, it was McDuffie. He managed to cover receivers effectively, recording five tackles and batting down a pass, proving his worth as an All-Pro.

**Dave Toub:** Special teams coordinator Toub deserves kudos for orchestrating a remarkable "fire drill" 59-yard field goal just before halftime. The seamless execution showed why he remains one of the best in the business.

Losers

**Jawaan Taylor:** The right tackle couldn’t afford to be as flawed. While his blocking was decent, he racked up five penalties that proved crippling.

**Passing Defense:** Calling out any single player feels unfair given the woeful collective performance. The Chiefs allowed the Chargers' receivers to roam free, with hardly a pass rush in sight, leaving Herbert time to thrive. If this is a personnel problem, it needs urgent fixing!

**Isiah Pacheco:** There was some glimmer of hope, as Pacheco managed five yards per carry, but with only five attempts, he barely made an impact. He must seize the opportunity to show he can be a game-changing threat.

**Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo:** Head coach Reid and defensive coordinator Spagnuolo have to shoulder some blame. With a pattern of inconsistency and repeated issues, the coaching staff must find a way to motivate the team and adapt to get back on track for next week’s clash against the Eagles.

As we reflect on this turbulent opener, it’s essential to remember that labeling players as “winners” or “losers” is merely a way to evaluate their performance in one game—not a judgment of their overall talent or character.