Could the Los Angeles Chargers be the team to beat in the AFC West?
Before the 2025 season started, hype surrounded the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. The defending conference and division champs entered the year on a quest to avenge their Super Bowl LIX loss, while the Broncos have one of the NFL’s best defenses and young quarterbacks. But could it be the Chargers who surprise everyone and steal the headlines?
It certainly looked that way during their opening-week statement victory. The Chargers beat the Chiefs 27-21 in the first iteration of the NFL’s International Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. It was the first time they defeated their division rivals since 2021.
While the Chargers emerged from that game 1-0, the win over the Chiefs means more than most, and quarterback Justin Herbert stressed that during his appearance on Mark Sanchez’s new digital show, “Rearview.”
“We knew how important that game was to us,” Herbert told Sanchez. “To be the team we want to be, we have to beat teams like [the Chiefs] — one of the best of one of the best. I assumed it was a terrific problem for us to go on the market and execute.”
“The place we’re this yr in comparison with the place we have been final yr is steps forward,” Herbert added.
Justin Herbert sat down with Mark Sanchez to debate the significance of the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 1 win in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
The Chargers had a robust season in 2024, going 11-6 within the first yr with head coach Jim Harbaugh, however they fell flat in a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans within the AFC Wild Card Spherical. They discovered from that loss, retooled, and continued to construct round Herbert.
They signed veteran large receiver Keenan Allen, who was with Herbert on the Chargers for 4 seasons. They invested within the growth of fellow pass-catchers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey. And second-year offensive lineman Joe Alt swiftly moved from proper to left sort out, stepping in for the injured Rashawn Slater.
Johnston, particularly, has been a revelation. The twenty first general choose within the 2023 Draft had a disappointing rookie season, however quietly had a top quality 2024 season with 711 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 15 video games. In 2025, Herbert believes he may actually get away.
Mark Sanchez and Justin Herbert mentioned Quentin Johnston’s emergence within the Los Angeles Chargers’ opening-night win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
“I am so pleased for him,” Herbert stated of Johnston. “He is put in a lot work these final couple of years… I feel he is solely gonna get higher.”
Johnston’s continued enchancment was on show in Week 1. He caught 5 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Within the third quarter, he hauled in a vital reception on a third-and-15 from midfield that arrange a fourth-and-1, which the Chargers transformed and became a landing that put them up 20-12.
Herbert’s choice to go to Johnston in that situation was a results of the belief the third-year receiver has earned, his quarterback stated.
Herbert feels fairly snug throwing to Johnston’s counterparts, Allen and McConkey, as effectively.
“Having Keenan and Ladd on the identical aspect, it is gotta be powerful on the protection,” Herbert stated.
Justin Herbert praised receivers Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey for his or her depth and the matchup issues they pose for opposing defenses.
McConkey, a second-round pick of Georgia in 2024, had a stellar rookie season, totaling 1,149 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was far-and-away probably the most constant pass-catching choice for Herbert, so including the wily Allen will take stress off McConkey and provides Herbert one other trusted goal.
The sixth-year quarterback remains to be in search of his first AFC West title and playoff victory. A quiet, humble chief, he is not grabbing headlines like Mahomes’ Chiefs or the widely-adored Broncos. However, between his confidence within the Chargers’ roster, the ascension of Johnston and McConkey, and the stableness of Allen and Alt, this could possibly be the season the Chargers overcome their rivals and Herbert achieves each of these fleeting accomplishments.
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