LAS VEGAS — The Chargers are spiraling — in all the precise methods.
A laser to Keenan Allen at the back of the top zone. A pristine rainbow to Quentin Johnston manner downfield.
Justin Herbert, spinning passes with mechanical precision, led his staff to a 20-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, directing the Chargers to a 2-0 file and a spot alone atop the AFC West.
The second half of a Monday night time NFL doubleheader was a yardstick recreation for each groups — how good have been they, really, after their season-opening victories? — and the Raiders acquired a vigorous ruler-rap throughout the knuckles, dropping to the Chargers for the fourth time prior to now 5 conferences.
Herbert, ruthlessly efficient in a win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Week 1, picked aside the Las Vegas secondary with surgical talent and used his legs to select up yardage when his receivers weren’t open. He was his staff’s main rusher.
After a one-for-five passing begin, he accomplished his subsequent 15 throws. That included a 60-yard landing to Johnston, who scored twice in opposition to the Chiefs and is redefining his onetime repute for exasperating drops.
Herbert was excellent however for a few hiccups, resembling a near-interception within the fourth quarter. General, although, it was one other elite outing after an excellent recreation in Brazil.
Allegiant Stadium crackled with power for this opener, with Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady carrying headphones within the coaches’ field, Lil Jon acting at halftime, and two soccer rock stars roaming the sidelines — coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll — longstanding rivals since their days at Stanford and USC, and San Francisco and Seattle.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and Raiders coach Pete Carroll shake fingers after the Chargers’ win Monday.
(Sean M. Haffey / Getty Photos)
Carroll grew to become the primary individual to educate an NFL recreation at age 74, and youthful as he’s, the sport needed to sap his spirit a bit. The Chargers have been in management all through.
Each groups are breaking in first-round working backs, rookies Omarion Hampton of the Chargers and Ashton Jeanty of the Raiders. Every made some spectacular performs, but neither was a real game-changer. Hampton absorbed a success from Maxx Crosby and was a part of a fumbled change with Herbert when the Chargers have been attempting to place the sport on ice.
The Chargers’ protection discovered causes to collect and have fun. That they had interceptions in the beginning and finish of the primary half, with linebacker Daiyan Henley plucking a carom on the primary Raiders play (a cross defensed by Alohi Gilman) and the seasoned Tony Jefferson choosing a desperation deep ball on the final Las Vegas possession of the half.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith merely didn’t have time to get the ball deep downfield. Defenders have been in his face in a flash, and Chargers defensive backs have been Velcro-bonded to the wideouts.
Eight totally different Chargers broke up passes, and 6 of these gamers broke up no less than two.
Within the fourth quarter, with the Raiders knocking on the door to lastly rating, the Chargers got here up with one other interception, this time in the long run zone by Donte Jackson.
Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson intercepts a cross meant for Raiders huge receiver Jakobi Meyers within the fourth quarter Monday.
(Rick Scuteri / Related Press)
Has an NFL proprietor ever thrown his headset?
Within the second half, the Raiders had a 19-play, 11-minute drive that resulted in a discipline purpose, the group booing in frustration because the kicking unit ran onto the sector. Like profitable $5 on a $100 wager.
Two NFL groups haven’t allowed a first-half landing this younger season: Inexperienced Bay and the Chargers.
Not every part went the Chargers’ manner. Star edge rusher Khalil Mack acquired his decrease left arm crunched on a deal with, the TV replay was cringeworthy, and needed to depart the sport with an elbow harm. He later returned to the sideline together with his left arm in a sling.
There wasn’t a lot for Raiders followers to cheer after halftime. One of many few energized crowd moments got here with two minutes to play, when cameras captured some man proposing to his girlfriend. She mentioned sure, by the way.
This marks the primary time since 1988 that the Chargers have opened the season with three consecutive division video games. They play host to Denver of their SoFi Stadium opener on Sunday. The Broncos and Raiders every have one loss, and the Chiefs are 0-2.
