After a win at Kansas City, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers won, Justin Herbert and the Raiders went to Las Vegas to face off against them.
The Chargers proved they were real in front of a prime time audience Monday night.
Herbert threw three touchdowns and Austin Ekeler ran for a career high 117 yards. Austin scored twice as the Chargers defeated the Raiders with a 28-14 win.
Los Angeles is now 3-1, the first time it has been since 2014. This tie also includes Denver and Las Vegas at the top of the AFC West. After four weeks, the NFL’s only undefeated team is the Arizona Cardinals after the Raiders’ defeat.
“We were patient and I felt we had a good mixture of run and pass. “Justin was very patient and Austin came to life tonight,” Chargers’ first-year coach Brandon Staley stated.
Herbert was responsible for all his TDs in halftime as the Chargers led 21-0. Los Angeles was able to score on its first two possessions of second half, as the Raiders managed to pull within one touchdown. However, Ekeler gave Los Angeles some breathing space with an 11-yard run off left guard. The key play of this drive was Herbert’s 13-yard pass to Jared Cook, on fourth-and-2 from the midfield.
Cook’s reception was one of four fourth down conversions by the offense.
He picks and chooses when it is possible to do it. Cook had six catches for 70 yards, including one touchdown. He’s been picking great. “We might as well play some lotto numbers with coach.”
Herbert reached two milestones during the win. Herbert completed his 500th pass in 19th season, making him the first Super Bowl quarterback to do so before 20th. In his three first prime-time games, he has recorded 10 touchdowns, tied with Dan Marino and Patrick Mahomes.
“It’s amazing that he believes us because everyone else in the huddle also believes in one another, and whenever we get in one of those situations we know that the right play is available, we know we have the right guys,” said Herbert, who completed 25 out of 38 passes for 217 yards.
Derek Carr was 21-of-34 for 196 yards, with two TDs (and an interception). The Raiders were unable to rush for 48 yards against the Chargers defense, which was last in the league in run defense.
Jon Gruden, coach of the team, said that “we cannot come out and take as many punches during the first round.” “We were able to make it a football match and give ourselves a chance. But it’s too difficult in this league against great teams.”
The Chargers won the opening kickoff and ran 75 yards in 12 plays. This included a 4-yard pass to Donald Parham, a tight end, in the back end of the end zone. They were 7-0.
Los Angeles increased its lead to 21-0 at the halftime with two more drives — Herbert’s 10-yard touchdown to Cook and Ekeler’s 14-yard screen.
Las Vegas was held to just one first down and 51 net yardage in the first half. However, adjustments were made at halftime. Carr found Hunter Renfrow, a Raiders safety, for a 10-yard touchdown.
Darren Waller then drew the line within 21-14. He caught a 3-yard pass at 1:44 in the third.
“Hopefully this will wake us up a bit,” Carr said. Carr stated that he believes we should start much faster if I’m being honest. “We started the season well, but we haven’t started games nearly as good as we should.”
LATE START
Although the roof of SoFi Stadium is covered, the start of the game was delayed by lightning strikes. Open-air status is given to the stadium’s north side, which has its upper deck open. Los Angeles was hit with torrential rain just an hour before kickoff.
“I have never seen an indoor stadium with lightning delays. Gruden said that it was a strange night for everyone and added that he did not receive any explanation.
GOLDEN MILESTONE
Joey Bosa had his 50th career tackle during the first quarter, when he took down Carr for a 9 yard loss. Bosa, now in his sixth season, achieved it in 67 games. This is faster than any Chargers player since 1982, when sacks were made an official stat.
Bosa wasn’t happy with the unsportsmanlike conduct sanction he received during the fourth quarter.
“I didn’t know they called the penalty against me, because I was fuming. But, refs are blind. It’s that simple. It’s simple. He said, “Like, open your eyes, and do your job. It’s so terrible, unbelievable.” “Obviously, it’s on me. This is how I shouldn’t lose control of my life. These guys need to do a better job, because there have been many years of horrible, terrible missed calls.
INJURIES
Raiders: Cornerbacks Damon Arnette, groin and Trayvon Mulden Jr., foot were both injured in the first quarter. They did not return to play. Cornerback Nate Hobbs sustained a concussion during the second half.
UP NEXT
Raiders: Sunday, host the Chicago Bears (2-2).
Chargers: Sunday, host the Cleveland Browns (3-1).
