Final Score: LV 31 LAC 26 [W] (5-3)
Of course, every Raiders game gotta have us living on edge. The Raiders come into the new SoFi Stadium and outlast a furious Chargers comeback lead by the rookie QB, Justin Herbert with a 31-26 victory.
What a game. The Chargers may be in rebuilding mode, but they kept most of the core in tact and put Justin Herbert in the right situation. The Raiders are fortunate to get away with this one. The Chargers are like the gift that keeps on giving. They historically find ways to lose. Last week, they blew a big lead at Mile High. This week, it looked like they won it. But, Isaiah Johnson stepped in and contested the catch. That slight bobble made the difference and the referees ruled it incomplete.
Bad weather wasn't a factor this week. It won't be as long as you're in an indoor stadium. The offense did work today. It was the ground game in the 1st half. The passing game took over in the 2nd half. But, the Raiders still ran the ball to churn out some clock. They may have well found their "Thunder & Lightning" in the back field with Devontae Booker and Josh Jacobs. Booker lead in rushing with 68 yards and 1 TD on 8 carries. He has been the perfect complement this season to Josh Jacobs and it allows Jacobs to stay fresh. Meanwhile Jacobs rushed for 65 yards and 1 TD on 12 carries.
As I mentioned, the Raiders shook it up in the 2nd half with some pass plays. The most notable one is Derek Carr's 45-yard bomb to Nelson Agholor to recapture the lead 21-17. We continue to see shades of 2016 Derek Carr today. He took a dive in the red zone in the 3rd quarter, very reminiscent of the dive he took to get the first down out of bounds in the opening game against the Saints back in 2016. That set up a 3-yard pass TD to Darren Waller to put the Raiders up 28-17.
The Raiders did not make this win easy at all. The defense had an up and down game tonight. We saw the pass rush get going as they were able to get pressure on Justin Herbert. Carl Nassib and Maxx Crosby each got a sack. The defense was able to stop the run on early downs. But, it was 3rd and long plays that kept the defense on the field a little too much. Every time, Paul Guenther calls prevent, the Chargers responded by throwing underneath to Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry and their YAC abilities just took over. Carr fumbled the ball at the end of the first half to allow the Chargers to retake the lead. That was more on coaching's part. Jon Gruden got too greedy to put some points on the board when they had the ball to start the 2nd half. And in that 4th quarter, it felt like an eternity for the defense to be out there as the offense moved the ball a bit, but couldn't anything going besides a Carlson field goal. As mentioned, Chargers looked like they came back. But a great contest by Isaiah Johnson and an extra camera angle showing the ball being bobbled was the difference.
It's not always easy, but the Raiders somehow still found a way to win. This stretch is not too difficult by all means. The fact that they're taking care of business against the teams they should beat is more than enough. The Raiders get another plus matchup next week against the Broncos. They are within striking distance with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. The Chiefs got away with a win against Carolina. A win against the Broncos next week should set up a crucial AFC West rematch with the Chiefs on Sunday Night. It's astonishing despite some of this team's flaws. But, if they can get it done, they can get it done. I'll see you guys later.
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