The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to achieve what the other Los Angeles team accomplished last season by winning the Super Bowl. Their 2022 campaign got off to a strong start as the Chargers beat rival Las Vegas Raiders, 24-19.
With the revamped AFC West, every Division game counts, even in Week 1. With an MVP contender and a revamped defense for LA, everyone had their eyes on this game, and the Chargers certainly didn’t. disappointed. Justin Herbert completed 26 of 34 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He not only handled the game, but picked and picked his shots, and managed to do it. Keenan Allen led the team with four catches for 66 yards but was released early with a hamstring injury. The addition of free agent DeAndre Carter impressed, catching three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.
As for the Raiders, Derek Carr completed 22 of 37 passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, while new receiver Davante Adams caught 10 passes for 141 yards and a score. The Las Vegas offense scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to close things out, but turned the ball over on the next possession after the two-minute warning, which sealed the deal.
Here are some key takeaways from the AFC West showdown between the Chargers and Raiders:
Why the Chargers won
There’s a lot of credit to be had when it comes to this Chargers win. It wouldn’t be fair to pick one player, position group or side of the ball for that matter to offend the other. Herbert looked fantastic, completing 26 of 34 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. The running game wasn’t too effective, but that didn’t have to be with the way the defense played.
Carr was sacked five times for a 29-yard loss and he threw three interceptions. Even when the Raiders scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to shoot within five runs and then forced a three-and-out from the Chargers, the LA defense stood tall and forced the Raiders to turn the ball over the downs. Newcomer and former Raider Khalil Mack registered three sacks to go along with six total tackles, and he was arguably the player of the match.
Why the Raiders lost
The Chargers looked like the better team on Sunday, but you have to credit the Raiders for outscoring their opponent 16-7 in the second half. To put it bluntly, Vegas lost the turnover battle 3-0, and the offensive line struggled against that nagging Chargers pass rush. On the other hand, the Raiders haven’t recorded a single sack!
The Raiders strayed a bit off the eighth ball in the first half, as the Chargers scored 14 unanswered goals in the second quarter. Down 17-3 at halftime, it looked like an uphill battle all the way. Week 1 is Week 1, but moving forward, we should keep an eye out if Vegas can one, score and two, protect Carr.
Turning
It was the moment of all moments – the game that ultimately determined the game. Fourth-and-8 with the game on the line, and Carr was sacked by Mack for the third time. You can’t speak highly enough of Mack’s quality on Sunday, and he’s clearly a playmaker who will step in in the big moments — not just to fire the quarterback — but also to drop the ball.
Game of the game
Okay, so the Raiders didn’t have their best showing in Week 1, but at the same time, it’s the regular season opener. We haven’t seen everything this team is capable of. Adams is a huge addition to this team given his rapport with Carr, and he certainly showed up in his first game as a Raider. The former Packer caught 10 passes for 141 yards – which included this 41-yard beauty.
Whether it’s his exit, his running path, his receiving ability or what he does after the reception, this dude is just elite. Be sure to watch until the end of the clip.
And after
The Raiders return to Vegas next week to host the Arizona Cardinals (0-1) on Sunday, September 18, while the Chargers hit the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) on Thursday, September 15.
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