Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers to meet in Sao Paulo for NFL’s international showcase
The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers will square off on neutral ground in the 2025 NFL Sao Paulo Game, held in Brazil on Friday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time at Neo Química Arena in Sao Paulo.
Season context and series history
The Chiefs finished the 2024 season atop the AFC West with an impressive 15-2 record and their 10th consecutive playoff berth. The Chargers, who went 11-6, earned a wild-card spot in the postseason. Kansas City holds a strong recent edge in the series, winning seven straight meetings against Los Angeles entering this game.
Venue and timing
The neutral-site contest is part of the NFL’s ongoing international series, designed to showcase the league to fans outside the United States. Sao Paulo’s venue provides a unique setting as teams travel to South America for this marquee early-season matchup.
Betting lines and projections
According to current sportsbook odds, the Chiefs enter as a 3-point favorite with an over/under set at 45.5 points. The game has drawn attention from bettors and analysts alike, with projection models often offering different angles on spreads and totals. One widely referenced model in betting circles has historically performed well and is tracking this matchup to determine value on either side of the line and the total, though specifics should be checked at final release for the latest figures.
Coaches and key storylines
Kansas City is led by head coach Andy Reid, known for his innovative offense and success in big games. Los Angeles is guided by a seasoned head coach (Brandon Staley), with the Chargers looking to balance a productive passing attack against a Chiefs defense that will be aiming to limit opposing aerial threats. The neutral-site nature of the game adds an extra layer of strategy, travel considerations, and crowd dynamics that could influence early-season execution for both teams.
What to watch
– Chiefs offense vs. Chargers defense: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City passing game will test a Chargers secondary and pass rush.
– Chargers’ adjustments: Los Angeles will be looking to leverage its skill players and spread offense to attack a Chiefs defense that showed resilience in 2024.
– Travel and environment: International games pose unique travel and acclimation factors that can impact game tempo and fatigue management in early September.
Summary and outlook
This matchup marks another major milestone in the NFL’s push to grow the game overseas, bringing two high-profile AFC West rivals to Brazil for a high-stakes early-season test. With a strong recent record against Los Angeles, Kansas City aims to extend its streak in a challenging, neutral-site environment, while the Chargers seek to start fast and prove they can compete on a global stage. The outcome could establish momentum for both teams as they begin a pivotal season, and the game should provide plenty of intrigue for fans and analysts watching from around the world.