Football fans — whether you bleed red and gold or powder blue — this is the week that converts offseason noise into on-field answers. The marquee matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers (played as an international season opener in São Paulo) brings star power, headlines and storyline fireworks — and it sits alongside final preseason dress-rehearsals like Cardinals vs Raiders that decide last roster spots.
Below is a long-form, fan-first guide (updated Sep 5, 2025) that:
- names the key players to watch (with why their past records matter),
- explains who’s fit and expected to play,
- tells you exactly where to watch (including Cardinals vs Raiders),
- gives venue & kickoff times, and
- walks you through an interactive, step-by-step fan plan for game day.
Everything below pulls from official team and league sources; verified links appear at the end for your cross-check.
Quick snapshot — the essentials (read this first)
- Match: Kansas City Chiefs vs Chargers (season opener)
- When: Friday / Sep 5, 2025 — kickoff listed at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT) — local São Paulo time shown on official listings. (NFL.com, ESPN.com)
- Where: Arena Corinthians (Corinthians Arena), São Paulo, Brazil — Chargers are the official “home” team for this international game. (NFL.com, Chargers)
- How to watch: Official league and team pages list YouTube / NFL+ streaming options for international/season-opener coverage; broad national broadcast availability varies by region — see official pages below. (NFL.com)
1) Key players to watch — and why their past records matter
When you Google “Chiefs vs Chargers” you want names you can bet headlines on. Here are the page-turners — the players whose bodies of work make them must-see TV.
Kansas City Chiefs — the familiar (and unstoppable) faces
- Patrick Mahomes (QB) — The franchise cornerstone, Mahomes remains among the league’s preeminent playmakers and comes in with career passing milestones and a track record of clutch drives in high-pressure games. Expect him to control tempo and attack mismatches deep. His NFL profile and game logs show the production that keeps defenses honest. (NFL.com)
- Travis Kelce (TE) — A perennial top target, elite route-runner and mismatch nightmare. Kelce’s career receiving totals and long history of producing in big games make his availability (and energy) one of the matchup’s biggest headlines — and he’s penciled in to play this opener after a full camp. Media coverage in São Paulo confirms Kelce is present and in good spirits. (NFL.com, Reuters)
- Isiah Pacheco (RB) — The Chiefs’ grinder at the goal line and a top threat between the tackles; his past two-season rushing bursts and knack for YAC make him a short-yardage and clock-control player to watch. (NFL.com)
Los Angeles Chargers — weapons and adjustments
- Justin Herbert (QB) — One of the league’s pure arm talents with consistent volume passing seasons and a resume that includes multiple 4,000+ yard campaigns. Herbert’s ability to push the ball downfield and create off-schedule plays means the Chargers’ attack will test Kansas City’s secondary early. (NFL.com)
- Keenan Allen (WR) — A route-running maestro and high-target share receiver; Allen’s history of target volume and reliable hands is crucial — especially with Chargers offensive line questions. (Chargers)
- Offensive-line eye (Rashawn Slater) — Not an “X-factor” in the common sense, but his absence is — Slater suffered a season-ending knee injury in August and that loss forces scheme and protection adjustments that ripple to Herbert’s comfort and the run game. Expect creative protections and early testing from the Chiefs’ pass rush. (NFL.com, Chargers)
2) Who’s fit and expected to play — the latest injury & availability notes (as of Sep 5, 2025)
Important: game day rosters and injury statuses change rapidly; below are confirmed or strongly reported statuses pulled from team and league notices published today.
- Patrick Mahomes — Active and expected to start. Official team reporting and pregame coverage indicate Mahomes is ready for São Paulo. (NFL.com)
- Travis Kelce — Present in Brazil, practicing with the offense and listed active in team previews; media outlets note Kelce is “in a good place” and expected to play. (Reuters, NFL.com)
- Isiah Pacheco — Listed active on Chiefs’ previews and projected to handle early down work. (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Justin Herbert — Chargers reports and practice notes show Herbert taking first-team reps and preparing to start. (Chargers, NFL.com)
- Rashawn Slater (Chargers LT) — OUT for the season with a ruptured patellar tendon (team announced surgery and IR placement in August). This is a major structural change for the Chargers’ protection plans. (NFL.com, Bleacher Report)
If you’re betting, fantasy-managing, or simply making a lineup pick: verify the final active/inactive lists an hour before kickoff via the teams’ official gameday pages or the NFL injury report (links below).
3) Complete viewing & broadcast guide — where to watch Chiefs vs Chargers (and Cardinals vs Raiders)
Chiefs vs Chargers — how to watch
- Streaming (international / global): The NFL lists YouTube as the streaming home for the São Paulo international opener; NFL+ and regional partners will also carry feeds depending on territory. Check the NFL game page for your region. (NFL.com)
- Regional TV / national: Broadcast partners vary by market. In the U.S., national and local listings for Week 1 are published on team sites and league schedule pages (see verified links below). (Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs)
Cardinals vs Raiders — where to watch (final preseason tune-up)
- Date & Time: Saturday, Aug 23, 2025 — 7:00 PM MST (this was Arizona’s preseason finale). (azcardinals.com, statefarmstadium.com)
- Broadcast: The Raiders and Cardinals both published “how to watch” pages that list NFL Network and a host of local affiliates (FOX5 Las Vegas for Raiders local viewers; Arizona local affiliates for Cardinals fans). Confirm local listings before kickoff. (Las Vegas Raiders, azcardinals.com)
4) Exact venues & kickoff times (confirmed sources)
- Chiefs vs Chargers — Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil — Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (check local time) on Sep 5, 2025. Official game previews and schedule pages list the international venue and kickoff time. (ESPN.com, NFL.com)
- Cardinals vs Raiders — State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ — Kickoff: 7:00 PM MST on Aug 23, 2025 (preseason Week 3). See team “how to watch” pages for local channel listings and streaming windows. (azcardinals.com, statefarmstadium.com)
5) Why the story matters right now (the context / narrative)
- International spotlight for an AFC rivalry: The Chiefs-Chargers meeting in São Paulo is more than a single game — it’s a marketing and momentum moment. The NFL’s international openings bring national TV exposure, international fan growth and off-field storylines (think guest appearances, celebrity attention) that amplify on-field outcomes. (NFL.com)
- Availability of franchise icons: Mahomes and Kelce playing on the same international stage drives search interest, ticket demand and social conversation — that’s why “Chiefs vs Chargers” dominates headlines this week. (NFL.com)
- Chargers’ structural test: The Chargers lost Rashawn Slater to a season-ending injury — that profoundly affects protection, run blocking and Herbert’s comfort in the pocket; the Chiefs’ pass rush will try to exploit this vulnerability immediately. That roster development explains the buzz around the matchup. (NFL.com)
- Preseason roster drama still matters: Final preseason games (like Cardinals vs Raiders) are where coaches finalize 53-man rosters and where under-the-radar players make the case to stay. That’s why even exhibition games carry real stakes for bubble players. (NFL.com, ESPN.com)
6) Interactive, step-by-step fan plan (get the most from the day)
Step 1 — Set the clock
Add the kickoff (Chiefs vs Chargers, Sep 5 — 8:00 PM ET) to your phone with timezone conversion if you’re watching from outside Brazil/US.
Step 2 — Confirm your stream / channel
If you’re out of market: test YouTube and NFL+ access now (log in, test connection). If you are local: check your cable/streaming guide for regional broadcast partners. (NFL.com)
Step 3 — Build your watchlist (players & matchups)
Use the “Key players” section above to create a 3-player watchlist (example: Mahomes, Kelce, Herbert). During the game: note who’s winning one-on-one matchups, who’s getting pressure and who’s making splash plays.
Step 4 — Engage live
Post a halftime poll on social (e.g., “Who’s impressed most — Mahomes, Kelce, Herbert?”) to spark conversation. If you’re writing a recap, use specific play numbers (e.g., drive time, third-down conversions) pulled from the official game center.
Step 5 — Verify outcomes & boxscore
After the game, read the official Gameday Central/boxscore to confirm snap counts and official stats (this is where you’ll find which preseason bubble players earned extra reps). (NFL.com, Las Vegas Raiders)
7) Quick betting / fantasy pointers (if you play)
- Mahomes/Kelce: Drafts and fantasy lineups hinge on Kelce’s targets — if Kelce’s getting early targets, Mahomes is working his trusted reads. Kelce’s career target share makes him a steady floor play. (NFL.com)
- Watch Chargers O-line: With Rashawn Slater out, Herbert may face more pressure — that suppresses big downfield plays unless schemed protections mitigate the loss. (NFL.com)
- Preseason caveat: Preseason lines and “dress rehearsal” usage vary; avoid overreacting to preseason stats — coaches limit starters’ snaps. Use preseason notes to identify role changes rather than long-term projections. (NFL.com)
Postgame: what to read first (my short list)
- Official game recap / box score on Chiefs.com / Chargers.com / NFL.com. (Kansas City Chiefs, Chargers, NFL.com)
- Injury report updates — check the teams’ daily injury pages to confirm who will be out/limited next week. (NFL.com)
- Coaches’ quotes & press conference video — often the best place to understand snap-count decisions and hidden injuries.
Helpful official links (verified as of Sep 5, 2025)
(I confirmed these links were live and relevant when I pulled the sources; use them to cross-check schedules, game centers, and official injury reports.)
- Chiefs — Official schedule & team news (game and roster) — Kansas City Chiefs. (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Chargers — Official schedule & gameday info — Los Angeles Chargers. (Chargers)
- NFL — Official game page / how to watch & league schedule. (NFL.com, NFL Football Operations)
- ESPN — Chiefs vs Chargers game preview & live coverage. (ESPN.com)
- Raiders — “How to watch” page for Raiders vs Cardinals preseason (Aug 23, 2025). (Las Vegas Raiders)
- Arizona Cardinals — “How to watch” / preseason details for Cardinals vs Raiders (Aug 23, 2025). (azcardinals.com)
- State Farm Stadium — event listing for Raiders vs Cardinals (venue info). (statefarmstadium.com)
Final take (TL;DR)
If you’re searching “Chiefs vs Chargers” because you want excitement, star power and an immediate barometer for both teams, Friday’s international opener delivers. Mahomes and Kelce headline the Chiefs’ story; Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen headline the Chargers’ — but the Chargers’ offensive line injury (Rashawn Slater) is the structural subplot that could tilt the game early. Meanwhile, keep an eye on final preseason matchups like Cardinals vs Raiders if you want to watch coaching decisions and bubble players fighting for roster spots. (NFL.com, azcardinals.com)
Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of Sep 5, 2025. Broadcast windows, player availability and kickoff times can change at short notice. For final, minute-by-minute confirmation, please consult the official team pages and the NFL game center linked above. Images used in this article are royalty‑free or licensed for commercial use and are provided here for illustrative purposes.