We've made it.

Chargers football is back as the Bolts play the Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday night. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. (PT) from Arena Corinthians and the game will be streamed for free on YouTube.

The Chargers-Chiefs betting line shows the Bolts are slight underdogs for Friday night.

Here are five final thoughts ahead of Week 1:

1. Massive Week 1 test

There's no love lost here.

When the Chargers meet the Chiefs on Friday night, it will be a battle against an opponent the Bolts know perhaps better than anyone else.

But it's also a team the Chargers — and everyone else in the AFC — is trying to catch.

"To come in, first game in Brazil, Week 1 ... I think it's going to be a big one for us, division rival," Ladd McConkey said. "The only thing we're focused on is going 1-0 right now. The Chiefs are a great team. We know what they're capable of, what they've done in years past.

"We know if we want to be the best, we have to compete," McConkey added. "Our division is tough, but to be the best you have to beat the best."

Justin Herbert added: "They're a very good team. We've got so much respect for them as opponents. They've had to much success in the NFL for years. It's a great opportunity for us to go out there and test us. We've put in a lot of good work in the offseason, through camp. We're just looking forward to going out there and having a great experience."

The Chargers will kick off Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh Era on an international stage, which also means a chance to make an early statement.

Harbaugh, who is 5-0 in his career in NFL season openers, knows the test that awaits Friday night.

"We're expecting them to be ready," Harbaugh said. "One thing you can expect from an Andy Reid-coached football team is they'll be ready.

"There will be unscouted looks. In an opener, there will always be some of that. Being aware of that, embracing that, there will be some improvising and adjusting," Harbaugh added. "Just ready, willing and able to adjust is another thing you have to expect when you play Andy Reid-coached team."

The Chargers hung with the Chiefs a year ago, just as they've done in other previous seasons. But a pair of one-score losses for the Bolts meant a ninth consecutive AFC West crown for Kansas City.

The goal Friday night is to take a small step toward trying to get back to the postseason, and possibly claiming the division along the way.

"We know always these are great battles, they're a great team," Derwin James, Jr. said. "We love playing them but I'm trying to do everything I can to get a win."

Daiyan Henley added: "It's about the season that's ahead of us. It's never about what has happened in the past. We've got the guys, we've got the coach, we've got everything we need right now to make that push. We believe that."

2. All eyes on the run game

Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman offered a humorous response earlier this week when asked about a stable rushing attack.

"If someone offered you the ability to have a consistent run game, I don't think there's anybody in the [NFL] world who would say, 'No, I don't want that,'" Roman said with a smile.

Especially Roman, who has been one of the NFL's top minds in terms of developing run games over the past 15 years.

But Roman also spoke multiple times this offseason about how the 2025 version of the Bolts rushing attack needs to be more consistent than last year's performance.

A season ago, the Chargers ranked 10th in EPA per rush (0.220), according to Pro Football Focus. But the Bolts were also 27th in rushing success rate (63.7 percent) and were 29th in PFF run grade (69.3).

Put another way, the Chargers were a little boom or bust in this department, something Roman is hoping to even out in 2025.

"It gets into actually being able to control the game and stay in control of situations as opposed to being a victim of situations," Roman said. "A strong running game is very important and we want to continue to improve that.

"How's that going to happen? Just day-to-day work and day-to-day dedication," Roman added. "Then we'll see where we're at."

The Chargers overhauled their running back room this offseason, bringing in free agent Najee Harris before taking Omarion Hampton in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hampton, who could be an early star for the Bolts, said he's excited to unveil the run game Friday night.

"It's amazing, we got so many different things we can do," Hampton said. "I'm excited for it because it fits a lot of the things, my running style, Najee, all the running backs we have like it."

The Chargers with Harbaugh and Roman are at the top of the list among NFL teams who want their offense to be led by a stout ground game.

If the Chargers can get that going in Week 1, it would help take the pressure off Justin Herbert while also keeping the ball away from the Chiefs offense.

And set the tone that a new and improved run game could be in store for 2025.

3. Who starts at cornerback?

The Chargers might boast the best safety group in the league, as the trio of James, Elijah Molden and Alohi Gilman help dictate a lot of variables in Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter's scheme.

But there's less clarity outside at cornerback, simply because the Bolts didn't settle on a starting group during training camp or the preseason.

In other words, expect the group of Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Cam Hart and Benjamin St-Juste to all see action against the Chiefs.

Minter, who said this offseason that the Bolts want to have a basketball team at corner with different sizes and skillsets, said as much on Tuesday.

"I feel good about who we have and guys having different roles and different types of matchups that that we're looking for," Minter said. "So, we've got a diverse group there that has had a really good couple weeks in preparation.

"I'm definitely excited about that room overall and see what we can do," Minter added.

St-Juste said everyone will be needed at some point this season, including against Patrick Mahomes and Co. in Week 1.

"It's a long season. If anything happens to anyone, then we have to make sure the standard stays the standard, that's why everybody is sharp, everybody is ready, everybody is competing," St-Juste said. "That way if anyone goes down, somebody needs to rotate, whatever it is, there's no drop off and everybody is at the same level of standard that we set."

A season ago, Minter and the Chargers defense held the Chiefs to under 20 points in both matchups. Mahomes threw for fewer than 300 yards in both games and had just a single touchdown pass in each game, too.

But Minter knows the challenge is seemingly never ending with Mahomes given his ability to extend plays and make the unbelievable throw.

He's also ready to throw a handful of cornerbacks out there to try and combat a high-powered Chiefs offense.

"We just have to play our game, we have to find a way to try to somehow get him off rhythm a little bit and make him uncomfortable," Minter said. "I know our guys are excited about that test."

4. Rookies ready for NFL debut

Week 1 is always exciting, but there's sure to be another level of hype for the nine rookies on the Bolts roster.

A total of seven members of the Chargers 2025 draft class are on the roster, as are a pair of undrafted free agents.

And while it remains to be see who is active or inactive for Week 1, you can bet that Hampton will get some early run on offense in Brazil.

"I'm super excited to have this opportunity to go out here and play the Chiefs [in the] first game," Hampton said. "I couldn't be more excited to be honest."

Elsewhere on offense, keep an eye on rookie wide receivers Tre' Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, both of whom have impressed McConkey since arriving in the spring.

"They've been great and are going to help us win some games this year," McConkey said. "As soon as they came in, they had the mindset that they were ready to learn and doing whatever they needed to do."

Oronde Gadsden is also a name to watch on third downs and on key passing situations, as the rookie tight end flashed the entire offseason with his big-play ability.

Defensively, third-round defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell was impressive against both the run and the pass during preseason games. He could be a key part of the Bolts defensive line room when the season ends.

If active, outside linebacker Kyle Kennard and safety RJ Mickens will likely help on special teams early as they adjust to their rookie seasons.

If the Chargers want to make the playoffs again in Year 2 under Harbaugh, they are going to need contributions from everyone on the roster — including the rookies.

5. Dicker aims for history

Cameron Dicker can make history on Friday night.

The Chargers kicker has attempted 97 career field goals, making 92 of them for a stellar 94.8-percent success rate.

With three more attempts, Dicker will obviously hit 100 for his career. That means he'll be eligible for the NFL's all-time field goal percentage list, which requires at least 100 tries.

No matter how many of the next three attempts he makes or misses, Dicker will stand alone atop the list, which is currently led by Justin Tucker at 89.103 percent.

"It's cool. In the moment, it's a cool thing and it's going to be a huge honor for me," Dicker said. "But at the same time, I'm hoping this is the first of many kicks.

"We got a lot more coming hopefully down the line, so continuing to build on previous seasons and try continue success," Dicker added.

Special teams will be an underrated storyline Friday night as Josh Harris, the Chargers veteran long snapper, is on Injured Reserve and must miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season.

The Chargers recently added Rick Lovato to their practice squad as he will take over snapping duties until Harris returns.

Ironically enough, Lovato was Philadelphia's long snapper in 2022 when Dicker joined the Eagles for a game and hit his first two field goal tries.

"I was with Rick in Philadelphia, so a familiar guy for me. Just making sure we're getting reps together, get on the same tempo with everything, communication is all good, just make sure we're flowing as good as we can be," Dicker said.

Lovato won two Super Bowls with the Eagles in his career, including last season against Friday's opponent — the Chiefs.

"He's somebody you trust in already. There's no thought of if he's going to be able to handle it," Dicker said. "The last game he played was the Super Bowl against the Chiefs, so this guy is ready for anything. Pro's pro, and just ready to go out and have fun."