The new Las Vegas Raiders season has finally begun starting with the Raiders vs Chargers week 1 matchup on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Although the game ended in a 19-24 loss for the Silver and Black, there’s a whole lot of things to talk about on the upside, including the outstanding chemistry between quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Davante Adams.
The two Fresno State teammates connected ten times over the course of the game with Carr finishing the day with 295 yards and two touchdowns while Adams totaled 141 receiving yards and a touchdown. On the other end, Chargers quarterback posted a 129.4 QB rating with 279 yards and three touchdowns.
With a field goal each to finish the first quarter of the Raiders vs Chargers week 1 match, the Bolts struck first blood in the end zone with two touchdowns, one by full back Zander Horvath and the other by receiver DeAndre Carter. The long-time Chargers receiver left the game in the first half due to a hamstring injury. Allen’s status is expected to be a week-to-week thing and is unlikely to play in week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders vs Chargers Week 1 – 2022 Season Highlights
On their first offensive possession of the second half, the Las Vegas Raiders were able to capitalize using the Carr/Adams connection with two big plays to take them to the 23 yard line, one of them being a huge 41-yarder to a wide open Adams on the left side of the field. Carr then utilized running back Brandon Bolden who caught a 18-yard pass to bring the score to 10-17.
The Chargers spent their next possession eating the clock with Herbert short passing to running backs Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley. The scoring drive resulted with Herbert passing to his tight end, and former Los Angeles Ram, Gerald Everett for a 18-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Carr found tight end Darren Waller downfield for a 31-yard gain. Adams first touchdown as part of the Las Vegas Raiders came two plays later with a three-yard catch on the front right corner of the end zone. With only four minutes left in the game, the Raiders were able to defend well enough to get the Chargers to punt, but the Raiders came up short in their last possession as Carr got sacked by Chargers linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
“Obviously, it’s difficult to win, and when you lose the turnover margin the way that we did and give them opportunities,” said McDaniels. They took advantage of some of those opportunities, especially there in the second quarter. I like the way our team fought. I respect the fact that we made it a game. We can do a lot better than what we did.”
Unfortunately coach Josh McDaniels became the fourth Raiders coach to lose his debut with the franchise, but sometimes that’s how the cookie crumbles when we play in the most competitive division in the NFL. With another big time next week, the Las Vegas Raiders travel back home on Sunday to face off against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders vs Chargers Week 1 Summary
Raiders vs Chargers Matchup History
Read more Las Vegas Raiders 2022 highlights:
2022 Pre-Season – Raiders vs Patriots Week 3
2022 Pre-Season – Raiders vs Dolphins Week 2
2022 Pre-Season – Raiders vs Vikings Week 1