The Chargers made it two big primetime wins in a row — Justin Herbert’s deep dart to Quentin Johnston and a defense that picked Geno Smith three times powered L.A. to a convincing 20–9 victory over the Raiders, giving the Bolts an early divisional edge.
The Chargers strutted back onto national TV and treated viewers to what was essentially a two-hour audition tape: Justin Herbert showing why people still pay to watch him, and the Raiders providing what many described online as “an extended tutorial in handing the ball away.” L.A. left Las Vegas with a 20–9 win and the kind of defensive night every coach dreams about.
The evening went sideways for Geno Smith. Early on, Alohi Gilman read a throw like it was last week’s script, got a fingertip on it, and linebacker Daiyan Henley finished the job with a nice hustle pick. Add two more risky throws and boom — three interceptions. The Chargers’ secondary spent the night collecting souvenirs while Raiders fans replayed the same facepalm GIFs for hours.
If the Chargers were handing out MVP trophies at halftime, Justin Herbert would’ve had a small shelf. His highlight — a 60-yard touchdown bomb to Quentin Johnston late in the second — was the kind of throw that makes defenders check their life choices. Herbert basically whispered “you’re open” and then turned the ball into a teleportation device.
Las Vegas struggled to produce rhythm. Brock Bowers was clearly trying to gut through a knee issue, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was…mysteriously underused, ending the first half with only 30 yards. Mix that with Smith trying to be a hero on throws better left for fantasy leagues, and the Raiders were chasing the scoreboard rather than setting it.
Khalil Mack left with an elbow problem, which had home fans worried. Late in the fourth, the Raiders mounted a real threat down at the Chargers’ 15-yard line, but Jeanty lost yards on a catch and Geno’s desperate heave was tipped by Derwin James Jr. — and Donte Jackson’s interception iced the game. Cue the sighs, the boos, and the instant “Why aren’t we using Jeanty more?” takes.
The Chargers are 2–0, and if you’re trying to knock the Chiefs off their AFC West throne, that’s a promising start. Defense bailed them out, Herbert did Herbert things, and the only looming question is whether the run game will ever decide to show up to the party. For now, Los Angeles gets the W — and Raiders fans get a highlight reel where the ball spends more time in the air than the offense did on the ground.
