The NFL announced they will play a game in Sau Paulo, Brazil, for the second consecutive year. Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles “hosted” the Green Bay Packers, beating them 34-29.
When the NFL returns to Brazil in 2025, the Los Angeles Chargers will be the “home” team. The Minnesota Vikings are a possible opponent, as they are scheduled for a road game in LA next year.
NFL’s 2025 international games setup:
Chargers, Week 1, Brazil at the Arena Corinthians.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 19, 2025
How likely is it that the NFL will choose the Vikings as the opponent? Since the NFL began its annual International Series in 2007, division opponents have only played each other seven times in 44 total games.
That could remove LA’s AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. The Kansas City Chiefs could be a wild card because of their star power, but networks would also be vying for a high-stakes Week 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, or Buffalo Bills.
The other remaining candidates for the Chargers are the Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston embarrassed the Chargers 32-13 in this year’s Wild Card Round and they could be a chance for LA to get revenge.
Washington had a Cinderella season in 2024, reaching the NFC Championship Game with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, the Colts, Jaguars, and Steelers are all scheduled to play other international games next year, likely taking them out of the running.
But the Vikings could make for an intriguing matchup. Minnesota will likely move on from Sam Darnold this offseason to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The last time McCarthy played a meaningful football game was when he won the 2024 National Championship with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh when the two were at Michigan.
What better way to gauge McCarthy’s mental makeup than a primetime game against his former head coach? The lasting impression of Darnold’s Pro Bowl season in 2024 was him melting down in two primetime games. McCarthy could prove why it was the right move to start him immediately.
International games can be tricky due to scheduling conflicts, but a trip to Brazil in Week 1 may be easier than flying to London on a short week in Week 5. And the Vikings could be the logical choice to play the Chargers there.