The Los Angeles Chargers made their statement Monday night, edging out the Las Vegas Raiders 20–9 thanks to a dominant defensive effort and smart offensive plays.
Quarterback Justin Herbert put up 242 passing yards along with two touchdowns—one to Keenan Allen, another to Quentin Johnston. Herbert also chipped in on the ground, helping the Chargers gain 317 total yards, far outpacing the Raiders’ 218. Meanwhile, Geno Smith endured a rough outing, throwing three interceptions and never finding the end zone.
The defensive highlight reel came from Los Angeles’s ball hawks: Daiyan Henley, Tony Jefferson, and Donte Jackson all took picks off Smith. The final nail in the coffin came when Donte Jackson snagged an interception in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
All of Las Vegas’s scoring came courtesy of three field goals by kicker Daniel Carlson. The Raiders showed flashes—grinding long drives at times—but penalties and missed opportunities haunted them. The Chargers, now 2–0, seem to be shaping up as a well-balanced squad built on clutch defense and efficient offense.
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