The Chargers opened up the 2022 regular season against their division rival, the Raiders.
Buy Chargers TicketsIn what seemed like it was in Los Angeles’ favor going into the half, Las Vegas battled back out of the tunnel to take the game down to the wire.
Ultimately, the Bolts prevailed and won by the score of 24-19.
It was over when...
…Derek Carr was sacked by Khalil Mack on 4th-and-8 late in the fourth quarter. The Chargers took over and Sony Michel sealed the deal with a carry that converted on 3rd-and-2.
D is nuts pic.twitter.com/TRRujVej6y
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 11, 2022
Game notes
- Quarterback Justin Herbert picked up right where he left off from his sensational sophomore season. Delivering dimes at all levels of the field, Herbert finished with 26-of-34 passing for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He spread the wealth, connecting with nine different pass-catchers.
- When Keenan Allen went down, DeAndre Carter stepped up. Carter finished with three catches on four targets for 64 yards and a touchdown.
- The offensive line did an excellent job of minimizing the dynamic duo of Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, and the rest of the Raiders’ defensive line – allowing just three quarterback hits and zero sacks.
- What a Chargers debut by Khalil Mack. Mack terrorized blockers all game long with pure power. He finished with three sacks, three tackles loss, four quarterback hits, and a forced fumble.
- It wasn’t just Mack who got a piece of Carr, however. Derwin James was the first to log a sack. Joey Bosa had an individual sack. Bosa and Morgan Fox combined for a sack on the Raiders’ final offensive drive. More pressure, more diamonds.
- The Chargers were without J.C. Jackson, who was ultimately ruled out. Wide receiver Davante Adams, who would’ve drew Jackson as the coverage assignment, did Davante Adams things. Being the elite route runner he is. Adams finished with ten receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown.
- While he was beaten badly on an insane route by Adams, Asante Samuel Jr. more than held his own against him. Samuel logged an interception on a deep throw to Adams in the end zone, showing off elite athleticism and instincts. He also had a pass breakup on a ball intended for Adams along the boundary,
- Bryce Callahan had a heck of a game covering Hunter Renfrow, as he was limited to just three catches for 21 yards. Callahan also had an interception.
- While the Raiders finished with 13 carries for 64 yards, the Chargers held them to just 2.2 yards per carry at the half. With the additions of Mack, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson there was a lot more physicality and stoutness in the trenches.
- Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken’s group had a great day. The punt coverage team rallied to the football – Renfrow was held to just four yards on two returns. J.K. Scott had some booming punts, including one that pinned the Raiders at their own two-yard line. All of Dustin Hopkins’ kickoffs went for touchbacks.
3 stars of the game
- QB Justin Herbert: 26-of-34, 279 yards and 3 touchdowns
- EDGE Khalil Mack: 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits, forced fumble
- WR DeAndre Carter: 3 catches, 64 yards, touchdown
What's next?
The Chargers have a short week, as they’re set to meet another division rival in the Chiefs on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
