The NFL has strategically scheduled its **international games** while carefully avoiding divisional matchups. Out of the **first six games** announced, only one is even a conference game. The focus has primarily been on **NFC** facing **AFC** teams. This is not just for drama; it’s a calculated move to maintain fairness across the league.
When a game is held internationally, it takes away a home game from one of the teams. Therefore, it’s in the NFL’s best interest to avoid conference games in those situations, ensuring that the advantage of being the **designated road team** doesn’t outweigh the loss of a home game.
The Second Game of the NFL Season
This season’s international game spotlight is on the **Los Angeles Chargers**, who have volunteered to face the **Kansas City Chiefs** in **Brazil** on September 5. This matchup is noteworthy as the Chiefs represent the Chargers’ greatest hurdle in the **AFC West**. The announcement was made by **Travis Kelce** on his “New Heights” podcast, preceding the official declaration by the NFL.
As fans of the sport, we should keep in mind how critical this game might be if the **AFC West** race remains tight as the season concludes.
Chiefs-Chargers Will Be in Brazil
The **NFL** permits teams hosting international games to protect two home games. The Chargers, however, opted not to protect the Chiefs as one of those games, as reported by the **Sports Business Journal**. Instead, they chose to safeguard matchups against teams that don’t visit **Los Angeles** frequently, such as the **Pittsburgh Steelers** or **Philadelphia Eagles**, as they anticipated those games could generate more revenue.
If the Chargers suffer a defeat abroad to the Chiefs and that outcome affects the final standings, they may face criticism for prioritizing **financial gain** over a crucial home game against a strong rival. With the option to secure two games, the NFL presented the Chargers with seven other home opponents to choose from, yet they still selected the Chiefs as their international competitor. History has also shown that since the inception of international games in 2007, only six have been divisional contests. Thus, this decision stands out as a remarkable deviation from the norm.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in a matchup last season. (Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Chiefs Don’t Have to Play at Los Angeles
The Chargers genuinely believe they can challenge the Chiefs for the **AFC West** crown, coming off a playoff season with momentum in their favor. When the NFL unveiled its schedule, 127 out of 128 divisional games were set to be conducted in home stadiums, with one match designated for a neutral location. The Chargers will journey to play at the Chiefs, but the Chiefs evade playing the Chargers in **Los Angeles**. This discrepancy provides the Chiefs with a considerable advantage.
The NFL has a history of placing **business interests** above equitable scheduling. The Chiefs versus Chargers encounter promises to garner substantial ratings, especially given its placement as a standalone game on the Friday of Week 1. The league’s focus seems oriented towards maximizing its audience on **YouTube**, which will stream the game. Despite the controversy surrounding the implications, the Chargers could have chosen to avoid the Chiefs as a neutral-site opponent but decided against it.
This decision could have significant ramifications as the season progresses. While it is impossible to predict the outcome of a home game against the Chiefs, the Chargers can still secure the upper hand by winning in Brazil. Losing in Week 1 could pose concerns regarding postseason implications, yet the Chargers possess the ability to turn the tables and claim the **division** later on. The fact remains that an entire divisional matchup has been stripped of a traditional road game setup, placing the Chiefs in a unique and advantageous position against their most formidable competitors within the AFC West.
The narrative suggesting that the **NFL** favors the Chiefs, particularly in officiating decisions, became a heated topic last season. Regardless, with the 2025 NFL schedule now in place, there is no denying that the Chiefs have been granted a distinct edge.