The Los Angeles Chargers entered 2025 with questions swirling about their offensive identity. A Greg Roman system typically conjures visions of a run-heavy approach, leaning on physicality and clock control. Yet in their season-opening victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, Jim Harbaugh’s squad showed something different — a balanced, creative, and often explosive passing game led by Justin Herbert.
That performance not only doubled the Chargers’ chances of claiming the AFC’s top seed — FPI boosted their projection from 8.1% before Week 1 to 15.8% after — but also reshaped the narrative of what this team’s offense can be.
A Team Already Poised to Rise
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The win over Kansas City wasn’t just another upset. It mattered more because of who the Chargers beat. The Broncos and Raiders also picked up victories, but against struggling opponents in New England and Tennessee. Los Angeles, on the other hand, toppled the defending division power and vaulted to a 46% chance to win the AFC West, compared to 24.5% for the Chiefs.
It wasn’t luck. The Chargers were already FPI’s eighth-ranked team heading into the season, ahead of Denver (11th) and well clear of Las Vegas (24th). The model saw something others didn’t, and Week 1 offered proof.
Debunking the Run-Heavy Myth
At first glance, last year’s numbers painted the Chargers as ground-and-pound: fifth fewest pass attempts in the NFL, with just 59% of plays called as passes. But the context matters. They played at one of the league’s slowest paces, ran the fourth-fewest plays, and often operated with leads. In neutral situations on early downs, they were actually among the league’s most pass-friendly teams.
Against Kansas City, that tendency came to life. The Chargers logged the third-highest early-down neutral-script pass rate in Week 1, trailing only the Chiefs and Patriots. Facing a defense still adjusting after losing Justin Reid and breaking in Kristian Fulton, it was the perfect counterpunch.
Herbert was surgical, completing 25-of-34 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, while also scrambling four times for 36 yards. As Mina Kimes noted on NFL Live, play-action was a quiet but essential factor: Herbert went 9-for-11 for 169 yards off fakes.
A Stronger Supporting Cast
Herbert wasn’t doing it alone. The Chargers’ offseason investments showed immediate returns. Rookie left tackle Joe Alt neutralized Kansas City’s pass rush, allowing no pressures on 42 dropbacks. New right guard Mekhi Becton, despite battling an illness, added interior stability. Together, the offensive line handled the Chiefs’ blitz looks far better than a year ago.
The pass-catching group looked deeper and more dangerous as well. Keenan Allen remained the reliable chain-mover with seven grabs for 68 yards and a score. Ladd McConkey added six catches for 74 yards, while Quentin Johnston flashed with two touchdowns and 79 yards. Tight end Tyler Conklin chipped in a pair of explosive plays in his debut. Even rookie Tre’ Harris contributed a key slant conversion in the fourth quarter.
Harbaugh praised the variety, noting:
“There’s really plenty of options and weapons, and Justin used them all. I think it bodes really well for us.”
Roman’s Masterclass
Much of the night belonged to Roman, whose play-calling struck the balance many doubted he could find. He used layered crossing routes, heavy play-action, and timely scheming to keep Kansas City off balance. “G-Ro’s had some great games as a play caller, as a game planner, as an offensive coordinator,” Harbaugh said. “I would put this one at the very top. Maybe none better than this one.”
Roman’s fingerprints were everywhere — from misdirection that sprung Conklin for 33 yards, to route combinations that freed McConkey in soft spots of coverage, to play-action throws that sustained long touchdown drives and shortened Mahomes’ opportunities.
A Different Chargers Offense
The run game was less explosive, with rookie Omarion Hampton grinding out 48 yards on 15 carries. Still, his physical fourth-down conversion and late-drive contributions showed why Harbaugh sees him as “Exhibit A” for the team’s new approach in the backfield.
Most importantly, the Chargers looked prepared, versatile, and unfazed against one of the league’s top defenses. For a franchise long haunted by inconsistency, this win suggested something new: a misunderstood offense proving its real identity.
Harbaugh summed it up:
“The Chiefs aren’t the kind of team that are just going to give you a game. You’ve got to go win it, and our guys did that.”
If this was just the beginning, the AFC may need to recalibrate its expectations.
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