The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers play each other at least twice a year. Every time they meet, it is must-watch football. You get elite QBs, big plays, and tight finishes.
But if you want the full picture — real stats, real player numbers, real history — you have come to the right place.
This guide covers everything: the all-time series record, key player stats from both sides, QB matchup data, and what the numbers tell us going into future games.
The All-Time Series Record: Who Leads?
Let’s start with the big number.
Across all meetings in their history, Kansas City holds a 76–66–1 edge over Los Angeles.
That’s a narrow lead. Both teams have had long runs of success against each other. The Chiefs have been the better team for most of the last decade. But the Chargers are never far behind.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Stat | Kansas City Chiefs | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| All-Time Wins | 76 | 66 |
| Ties | 1 | 1 |
| Avg Points Per Game | 21.97 | 20.55 |
| Last 10 Years Record | 16–4 | 4–16 |
| Last 5 Games | 4 wins | 1 win* |
*As of the September 2025 opener, where the Chargers won 27–21.
The Chiefs average 21.97 points per game to the Chargers’ 20.55 across the full series. The scoring gap is small. These games are close.
Recent Results: The Last Five Games
Want to know who has been hot lately? Here are the five most recent matchups:
| Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | Los Angeles Chargers | 16–13 |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Los Angeles Chargers | 27–21 |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | 19–17 |
| Sep 29, 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | 17–10 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs | 13–12 |
The Chiefs swept both games in the 2024 season, winning 17–10 on the road in Week 4 and 19–17 at home in Week 14.
Then the script flipped. In the 2025 season, the Chiefs lost both games to the Chargers. That is the nature of this rivalry. No team can coast.
The most recent game ended with Kansas City falling 16–13 to Los Angeles on December 14.
Patrick Mahomes vs Justin Herbert: The QB Matchup That Defines This Rivalry
This is the game within the game. When these two play each other, you are watching two of the best QBs in the NFL go head-to-head.
Patrick Mahomes — Career Stats vs Chargers
Mahomes has been the best QB in football for years. But Herbert pushes him like almost no one else.
Key Mahomes numbers vs Los Angeles:
- Multiple All-Pro seasons and three Super Bowl rings
- Known for late-game comebacks — many of which have come against the Chargers
- Won the majority of his head-to-head starts against Herbert
Justin Herbert — Career Stats vs Chiefs
Justin Herbert has a passer rating of 96.2 with 24,074 yards, 159 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions across 92 career games.
Herbert vs Kansas City has been a story of growth. Early on, he lost often. Now he wins more.
Herbert’s Best Game vs Kansas City:
In the 2025 Week 1 opener in Brazil, Herbert completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for 318 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a 131.7 passer rating in a 27–21 Chargers win.
QB Head-to-Head Comparison (vs Each Other)
| Stat | Patrick Mahomes | Justin Herbert |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Career Record | Super Bowl Champion (3x) | 52–43 career |
| Avg Pass Yards vs Opponent | 230–280 range | 240–290 range |
| Big Games in This Series | Multiple 300+ yd games | Multiple 300+ yd games |
| 2025 Week 1 Stat Line | 189 yds, 1 INT | 318 yds, 3 TD |
Herbert threw for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only three interceptions in 2024, proving he is a true elite-tier QB. He just happens to play in the same division as Mahomes.
Travis Kelce: The Chargers’ Biggest Nightmare at Tight End
If you follow this rivalry, you know one name keeps showing up: Travis Kelce.
Kelce has 121 catches for 1,474 yards and 10 touchdowns in 22 career games versus the Chargers.
That is an average of about 67 yards per game against one team. For a tight end, that is elite production.
Just from 2022 to 2024, Kelce had 35 catches for 479 yards and 4 touchdowns in 5 games versus the Chargers.
Even as Kelce gets older, he remains a matchup problem. Kelce’s 69.4 receiving yards per game is the most by a tight end in NFL history, minimum 20 games played.
And rivals respect him. Even after the Chiefs beat the Chargers in 2024, Kelce called Herbert one of the best quarterbacks in football. That says a lot about the respect in this rivalry.
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Key Skill Position Matchups: Who Wins Each Battle?
Wide Receivers
Kansas City:
- Xavier Worthy — speed threat; dangerous after the catch
- Marquise Brown — 10 catches, 99 yards in a recent game vs LAC
Los Angeles:
- Ladd McConkey — young, fast, rising star
- Keenan Allen returned to the Chargers in 2025 after a year with the Bears, signing a one-year deal to add veteran experience
- Quentin Johnston — Johnston had two touchdowns in the 2025 Week 1 win over KC
In the 2025 opener:
| Player | Team | Rec | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd McConkey | LAC | 6 | 74 | 0 |
| Quentin Johnston | LAC | 5 | 79 | 2 |
| Keenan Allen | LAC | 7 | 68 | 1 |
| Travis Kelce | KC | 7 | 70 | 1 |
| Marquise Brown | KC | — | — | — |
Running Backs
Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton carried the ball 15 times for 48 yards in the 2025 opener. Hampton is the new bell cow back and showed good vision vs a stiff KC defense.
Kansas City Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco had 11 carries for 21 yards in that same game. The Chiefs struggled to run the ball.
Full Box Score Breakdown: 2025 Week 1 — Chargers 27, Chiefs 21
This was the first NFL game ever played in São Paulo, Brazil. Here is the full scoring by quarter:
| Quarter | LAC | KC |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | 0 |
| 2nd | 6 | 6 |
| 3rd | 7 | 6 |
| 4th | 7 | 9 |
| Final | 27 | 21 |
Top Performers:
Los Angeles Chargers:
- Herbert: 25/34, 318 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
- Hampton: 15 att, 48 rush yds
- Johnston: 5 rec, 79 yds, 2 TD
Kansas City Chiefs:
- Mahomes: 189 yds, 1 INT, 1 TD (passing)
- Kelce: 7 rec, 70 yds, 1 TD
Historical Milestones in This Rivalry
This series goes back to 1960. Here are some of the key records and moments:
- The largest Chiefs win was a 49–6 blowout on December 13, 1964
- The largest Chargers win was a 31–0 shutout at home on December 12, 2010
- The rivalry has featured Hall of Famers on both sides, including Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson for the Chargers, and Derrick Thomas and Len Dawson for the Chiefs
- The Chiefs went 8–3 over the 11 games leading up to the 2025 season opener, showing how dominant KC was in the early 2020s
Why the Chargers Have Been Gaining Ground?
For most of the 2010s, the Chiefs were the clear kings of the AFC West. But things have been changing.
What has helped the Chargers?:
- Justin Herbert’s growth. He was a rookie sensation in 2020 and has only gotten better. His accuracy, arm strength, and decision-making have all improved.
- Jim Harbaugh’s arrival. The Chargers went 12–5 in Harbaugh’s first season in 2024 and returned to the playoffs. That was a big step.
- Omarion Hampton. The new running back gives LA a true ground game threat.
- Keenan Allen’s return. A veteran leader helps young wide receivers grow fast.
What has kept the Chiefs on top?:
- Mahomes is still Mahomes. He is the best QB in the league when healthy.
- Andy Reid has one of the best offensive minds in NFL history.
- The Chiefs have the culture of winning. They do not panic. They find ways.
3 Stats That Tell the Story of This Rivalry
1. Scoring Is Always Close
The average score across all games is 21.97 for the Chiefs and 20.55 for the Chargers. That is just over one point apart. These games are tight.
2. The Chiefs Dominate the Last Decade — But the Chargers Are Closing the Gap
Kansas City holds a 16–4 record over the Chargers in the last 10 years. That is a huge edge. But look at the last two seasons — LA went 2–2 vs KC in 2024–2025 combined. The gap is closing.
3. Herbert Has Flipped the Script at Home
Herbert owns home games vs Kansas City. He is more comfortable, the crowd helps, and his numbers go up. That is where the Chargers have won big in recent years.
What to Watch in Future Chiefs vs Chargers Games?
Here are the four things that will decide upcoming matchups:
- Can Mahomes find a new No. 1 receiver? Without Tyreek Hill, KC needs someone to step up. Marquise Brown had a big game in 2024 but has not been fully healthy.
- Will Herbert stay healthy? He played all 17 games in 2024. If he does that again, the Chargers are a real threat.
- Kelce vs age. He is 36 years old. He can still play, but the Chiefs need more help around him.
- Hampton’s development. If the Chargers have a real run game, their offense becomes much harder to stop.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who leads the all-time series between the Chiefs and Chargers? A: The Kansas City Chiefs lead the all-time series. Their overall record stands at 76–66–1 in favor of KC.
Q: What was the score of the most recent Chiefs vs Chargers game? A: The most recent game was on December 14, 2025, with the Chargers winning 16–13.
Q: How many times have the Chiefs and Chargers played each other? A: The rivalry has been played 132 times total, including one postseason game.
Q: What are Patrick Mahomes’ stats vs the Chargers? A: Mahomes has put up strong numbers in this matchup across many seasons, but the Chargers gave him trouble in 2025. In the Week 1 opener, Mahomes threw for 189 yards and was picked off once in a loss.
Q: What are Justin Herbert’s best stats vs the Chiefs? A: His best performance came in Week 1 of 2025. He threw for 318 yards, 3 touchdowns, and posted a 131.7 passer rating in a 27–21 win.
Q: How does Travis Kelce perform against the Chargers? A: Kelce is a wrecking ball vs LA. He has 121 catches for 1,474 yards and 10 touchdowns in 22 career games vs the Chargers.
Q: Did the Chargers win the AFC West in 2024? A: No. The Chiefs clinched their 9th straight AFC West title after beating the Chargers in December 2024. But the Chargers went 12–5 and made the playoffs.
Q: Who are the top receivers in Chiefs vs Chargers games? A: Travis Kelce for KC and Keenan Allen or Ladd McConkey for LAC are the top names to watch. In the 2025 opener, Quentin Johnston had two touchdowns and became a major factor for the Chargers.
Q: When did the Chiefs vs Chargers rivalry begin? A: The rivalry stretches back to the early days of the AFL, with both clubs among the founding AFC West franchises. They have been playing since 1960.
Q: What is the biggest win in this rivalry? A: The biggest KC win was 49–6 in 1964. The biggest LAC win was 31–0 in 2010. Modern games are much closer.
Final Thoughts
The Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers rivalry continues to be one of the most exciting matchups in the NFL, defined by close games, elite quarterback battles, and standout individual performances. While the Chiefs still hold the edge in the all-time series thanks to their consistency and championship-caliber leadership under Patrick Mahomes, the Chargers are rapidly closing the gap with Justin Herbert’s growth, improved coaching, and a stronger supporting cast. Every meeting between these two teams delivers high drama, big plays, and playoff-level intensity, making this rivalry must-watch football for fans who value skill, strategy, and last-minute finishes.
