The Las Vegas Raiders were clearly the better team in their surprising upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to establish themselves as one of the surprise teams of the early NFL season, as they posted a solid 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers that featured fine passing from quarterback Kirk Cousins, a dominant defensive effort and plenty of sloppy football from the Chargers.
The first quarter was scoreless, but both teams missed chances to break through early. For the Chargers it was a missed field goal from 58 yards out from kicker Cameron Dicker, while the Raiders couldn’t score after an interception from Hezekiah Masses as the Chargers forced a turnover on downs with a goal-line stand.
The Raiders scored first in the second quarter on a 40-yard touchdown strike from Cousins to receiver Tre Tucker, who had a big day. That made it 7-0, but the Chargers struck back with a long drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run from Omarion Hampton to tie the game at 7-7.
But Cousins hit Tucker again for 43 more to put the Raiders in scoring position, and kicker Matt Gay knocked home a career-long 59-yard field goal to make it 10-7 at the half.
The third quarter featured more back-and-forth football as both teams scored touchdowns. The Chargers got the first one on a 10-yard TD pass from QB Justin Herbert to tight end Oronde Gadsden, with the Raiders countering on an 13-yard touchdown toss from Cousins to receiver Cody White.
That made it 17-14, but the Raiders dominated the fourth quarter. The defense constantly harassed Herbert, and Las Vegas finally got on the scoreboard again late in the game as Cousins hit White from 11-yards out for the receiver’s second touchdown of the day.
That upped the Raiders lead to 24-14, and Maxx Crosby finished the scoring with a safety as he drew a holding call while nearly sacking Herbert in the end zone to account for the final score of 26-14.
Cousins finished the day at 19-for-29 for 253 yards and three TD passes to go with a single pick, and White and Tucker were the receiving starts as Tucker wound up with 119 yards and a score on five receptions.
The Chargers played horrible, sloppy football, especially in the second half. They fumbled six times, although they only lost one, but left tackle Joe Alt had three penalties and Herbert was picked twice while going 15-for-27 for 192 yards to go with the touchdown.
