The Las Vegas Raiders are visiting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Here is everything to need to know about the game:
First quarter
The Chargers won the coin flip and deffered.
The Raiders offense, led by interim offensive coordinator Greg Olson, began the game and it was familiar. Geno Smith was sacked on third down by Raider killer Khalil Mack and the Raiders went three and out.
The Chargers went on a 14-play, 74 yard drive and scored to take an easy 7-0 lead on a drive that burned eight minutes and 50 second.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert went to the locker room after the Charger’s first drive. He has a left hand injury. He is questionable to return.
Brock Bowers had a 27-yard catch, but then the Raiders stalled and Smith was sacked again. They were forced to punt.
Trey Lance is quarterbacking the Chargers.
Second quarter:
Herbert is back in the game.
The Chargers are six-for-six on third down.
Raiders’ linebacker Devin White was called for two personal fouls on the Chargers’ second drive of the game.
Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly intercepted Herbert at the goal line. Huge play. He replaced rookie Darien Porter on the second drive. Kelly has three interceptions
The Raiders, though, couldn’t take advantage of Kelly’s play as a Geno Smith pass was tipped and intercepted at about the Raiders’ 26. He has thrown 14 interceptions, tied for the most in the league. So far, the Chip Kelly-Olson switch hasn’t paid off.
But the Chargers couldn’t take advantage as they were stuffed by White on fourth and inches. The Chargers are messing around and letting the Raiders stick around with these red-zone mistakes.
Atonio Mafi, elevated from the practice squad for the game, is playing right guard in the second quarter for Caleb Rogers.
Jack Bech delivers with a third-down catch and then Ashton Jeanty runs for nine yards. Then, a 24-yard strike from Smith to Bowers. Raiders are cooking.
Smith finds Bowers for a short touchdown. Tied at 7-7 with 1:50 to go. The Raiders went 82 yards on nine plays in 4:42. Olson had a nice drive. The Chargers’ red-zone mistakes hurt them.
Maxx Crosby comes up with a big sack 0f Herbert. He has sacked Herbert seven time so far in his career, more than any other player.
Raiders 7, Chargers 7 at halftime.
Third quarter:
Porter is back in at cornerback.
The Chargers strike fast as Kimani Vidal runs 59 yards for a score. 14-7, Chargers lead.
The Raiders go three and out as Smith is sacked for the third time. Tackling is an issue. Rogers was back in the game.
Back to back sacks by Malcolm Koonce, he has sacks in two straight games, and Crosby force the Chargers to punt.
Another Smith sack. The Raiders have allowed four or more sacks in four straight games.
The Chargers took more than five minutes off the clock and it was culminated with Herbert hitting Lad McConkey for a touchdown. Chargers led 21-7 with 2:23 to go in the quarter. This would be a major blowout if it weren’t for the Chargers second-quarter issues in the red zone.
The Raiders were stopped on downs in their territory.
Fourth quarter:
Cameron Dicker hits a 56-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 24-7 lead.
Bowers came up with a unreal one-handed catch on a touchdown to make it a 24-14 game with 7:49 to go.
Final score:
Chargers 31, Raiders 14.
Now that the game is over, let’s take a look at the key aspects:
Team records: The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-10. The Los Angeles Chargers are 8-4
What the win/loss means for the Raiders:
The Raiders have lost 10 straight AFC West dating back to the start of last season. It is the longest current division streak in the NFL. The Raiders are now 1-7 at SoFi Stadium and 0-7 with fans in the stands. Oh, and they have been eliminated from the playoff contention. Pete Carroll talked a lot before the season about winning 10-plus games often in his career. Well, he has lost double-digit games in his first season with the Raiders, who haven’t won six Week 6. The Raiders have been beaten by double digits seven times and three straight times. They have allowed 30 plus points six times.
Turning point of the game:
The Chargers scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to make it a 21-7 game, ending any momentum the Raiders built late in the first half.
Injury report:
Rookie wide receiver Jack Bech suffered a chest injury. Rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton had a concussion.
What’s next for the Raiders:
The Raiders host AFC West foe, the Denver Broncos next Sunday. Kickoff is at 1:o5 p.m. PT.
