Raiders vs. Chargers Must-Dos: Stopping the run, Minshew Mania going early key for Las Vegas

Defense must set tone while Gardner Minshew, offense clicking from the start can help zap the Bolts

Now, games will count.

And this Sunday, for the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2024 regular season opener will not only notch in overall record, but division standings, too.

The Silver & Black couldn’t have asked for a better litmus test to kick off the Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco era than Sunday’s road matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

It’s an AFC West tussle that will not only give us an early look at the division tango, but the job Pierce (the Raiders head coach) and Telesco (Las Vegas’ general manager) did this offseason.

But the Raiders aren’t the only team that experienced change.

The Chargers are now led by head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz.

Despite new coach and personnel man, the Bolts remain perennial preseason darlings only to become regular season disappointments.

Meanwhile, the Pierce-led Raiders are tired of losing and missing out on the all-important postseason dance.

These two AFC West foes are akin to the Pumpkin Coach in Cinderalla. At the onset, they appear shiny and new and ready to showcase themselves in front of boisterous fanbases. The gaudy apperance springs hope enternal.

But at the stroke of midnight — in this case the NFL Playoffs — both teams revert to the stale and crusty pumpkin they’ve always been.

Will 2024 change the narrative for the Raiders and Chargers?

If Las Vegas is serious about changing its fortune under under the new regime, here are must-dos this the season opener:

Stop the Run

The time for vanilla schemes is over. Heralded as the supposed strength of the Raider, Patrick Graham’s defense will be under the microscope this Sunday.

The defensive coordinator orchestrated a successful group that earned the ninth-ranked defense in points allowed in 2023. But, as Graham was keen to note this offseason, last season is over and done with and it’s all about success in 2024 — celebrating last season’s performance means little a new year.

That’s only proper.

Whether it be vanilla scheme or truly a concern, Las Vegas run defense in preseason games was questionable. Graham’s until was sliced through by opposing teams for robust gains and average yards per carry.

That can’t happen this Sunday against the Chargers. Harbaugh is a Power I Formation truther and loves to run the football. And if Graham’s squad is getting gashed by Los Angeles run game, it’s going to be a long day for Las Vegas.

Every level of the Raiders defense needs to be communicating and on point from edge rusher Maxx Crosby, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, linebacker Robert Spillane, cornerbacks Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs, and strong safety Marcus Epps. Each needs to be in sync to stymie the Bolts ground attack.

Stopping the run forces the Chargers to attack another way. That’ll give pass rushers like Crosby, Wilkins, and Malcolm Koonce the ability to pin their ears back and get after quarterbacks Justin Herbert.

Minshew Mania/Minshew Magic

Telesco and Pierce decided veteran Gardner Minshew gives Las Vegas the best chance to start the first quarter of the season hot.

So be it.

But that means running the full gamut of offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s playbook.

Just like the defense, the time doe bland plain vanilla is over. No kid gloves or training wheels — let ‘er rip.

Establish the run, high-volume targets for wide receiver Davante Adams or talented rookie tight end Brock Bowers, no matter what the game plan is, execute and don’t skip a single page of Getsy’s cookbook.

After all Minshew has vast experience in the league and boasts the improvisational skills to make chicken salad out of you know what.

This isn’t a second-year quarterback we’re talking about. Minshew is a 28-year-old who is in his sixth season in the NFL and has 37 career starts with 49 career games under his belt.

The mustache marvel that Minshew is has made a living on making plays and while the Raiders don’t necessarily require the quarterback to be a Super Man of sorts, an efficient, sharp, and vocal game will go a long way for the new-look Silver & Black.

The narrative on Minshew is he’ll do enough to keep his team in the game, unfortunately, however, he does enough to keep the other squad in the contest too.

Zeus Loose

Pierce made it clear from the get his Raiders would embody the ill intent, physical, and violent nature that inflicts pain on the opposition.

Best way to do that from jumpstreet is to get the ground game rolling.

That means getting Zamir “Zeus” White on the loose. The third-year running back and soon-to-be 25-year-old (on September 18) has packed on more muscle that should help batter opposing defenses this year. So much so, that White should be given the “swole” moniker bestowed upon starting linebacker Divine Deablo who arrived at last year’s offseason chiseled.

White showcased improved vision, balance, and power last season and running behind an offensive line geared more towards wide zone scheme, it’ll be intriguing to see the Georgia product produce this year.

Behind him are veteran tailback Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah, and rookie Dylan Laube. If White isn’t cutting the mustard in the season opener, the Raiders shouldn’t hesitate to get the other running backs carries.

We’ll find out if Las Vegas is intent on doing the by committee approach or riding the hot hand at tailback.