The Las Vegas Raiders are hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Here is everything to need to know about the contest:
First quarter
The Raiders won the coin toss, but deferred to the second half. The Chargers got into Raiders’ territory on the opening drive, but they missed a 58-yard field goal to start the game. The Raiders will get good field position to open the game.
Kirk Cousins converted a big third and long pass to Tre Tucker. Yet, two plays later, Tucker slipped and a Cousins pass was intercepted and the Chargers took over at their own 17. It could have been a big play. It was Cousins’ third interception in less than five quarters, but it’s hard to blame him for that one.
The Raiders’ defense responded though as the Chargers ended up having to punt. Malcolm Koonce and Nakobe Dean combined for a sack.
The Raiders gave up their first sack of the season and Ashton Jeanyy dropped a first down, forcing the Raiders to punt with just more than four minutes to go in the quarter.
A wide-open Chargers’ tight end David Njoku bobbled a pass and it went into the hands of Raiders’ rookie cornerback Zeke Masses who returned the ball deep into Chargers’ territory. Like last week, the Chargers are very sloppy. It would have been a long gain for the Raiders, instead the Raiders got the ball in the red zome.
However, the Raiders went for it on fourth down and Jeanty was stopped when he bobbled a direct snap at the 1. Jeanty had four straight runs on that set of down. What a blown opportunity late in the quarter.
Second quarter:.
Cousins showed he can push the ball down the field as he hit Tucker for a 40-yard touchdown to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead with 11:51 remaining in the half.
Justin Herbert hit Ladd McConkey for 19 yards on third and 11 and Chargers had 49 yards rushing on a long response as they tied the game at 7-7 with 5:266 to go in the half.
Old friend Khalil Mack with the sack, forcing the Raiders to punt late in the quarter. Mack has been a Raider killer ince his 2018 trade.
Fueled by a 42-yard pass from Cousins to Tucker (Have a half, fellas), the Raiders took a 10-7 lead into halftime on a 59-yard field goal by Matt Gay That was huge and the Raiders get the ball to start the second half.
Third quarter:
The Raiders couldn’t continue the momentum and went three and out to open the second half.
The Raiders’ defense had a brutal first drive of the half, allowing a big 53-yard pass play on third down and some sacks on a drive the Raiders took a 14-10 lead with just less than 10 minutes to play in the quarter.
The Raiders came roaring back. They converted on fourth down in their own territory. Then, they got into the red zone with a trick pass play and then Cody White made a great catch for a touchdown on third down. The Raiders lead 17-14.
Raiders end quarter with a 17-14 lead and the ball.
Fourth quarter:
Dean made a big run stop to force a Chargers punt.
But the Raiders had to punt.
The Chargers were driving, helped by the Raiders having 12 men on the field on fourth down. But Dean caused a fumble and Jeremy Chinn took it 43 yards to the Chargers 16 late in the game.
Another Cody White touchdown. The Raiders are up 24-14 with 2:59 to go.
Final score:
Raiders 26, Chargers 14.
Now that the game is over, let’s take a look at the key aspects:
Team records: The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-0. The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-2.
What the win means for the Raiders:
The Raiders are 2-0 and that’s big. The Raiders have made the playoffs 14 of the first 19 times they started 2-0. In recent NFL history, teams that started 2-0 make the playoffs 66 percent of the time. The Chargers are two games back at 0-2. The Raiders are 2-0 for the first time since 2021 when they last made the playoffs. Klint Kubiak first Raiders coach to start his career there 2-0 since Bill Callahan in 2002. The Raiders went to the Super Bowl that year. The was the Raiders’ first at SoFi Stadium with fans in attendance.
Turning point of the game:
The Raiders took the lead at 17-14 in the third quarter and then sealed the win after the fourth-quarter fumble recovery and touchdown.
Injury report:
Dean was shaken up in the first quarter, but he returned shortly later. Rookie safety left the game with a concussion. Receiver Dareke Young injured his hamstring in the second half. Ashton Jeanty seemed to be banged up late. He returned.
What’s next for the Raiders:
The Raiders stay on the road as they play at the New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. PT. The Saints won at the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and they are 1-1.
