A lackluster offensive showing from Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty and the Las Vegas Raiders led to a 20-9 loss to Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night in Vegas.
Smith struggled throughout the night, completing 24-of-43 passes for 180 yards with three interceptions and three sacks. Jeanty, the Raiders’ No. 6 overall pick, saw limited usage, finishing with 43 yards on 11 carries. Jakobi Meyers led the receiving corps with six catches for 68 yards.
Meanwhile, Herbert completed 19-of-27 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with both Keenan Allen for a score and 54 yards and Quentin Johnston who had 71 yards for a score. The Chargers improved to 2-0.
With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 1-1. Fans expressed frustration over the offense’s lack of production, the turnovers and the minimal involvement of Jeanty in the game plan.
Smith was intercepted on the game’s first play by linebacker Daiyan Henley, setting up a 38-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker. After the Raiders tied it with a 54-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson, Herbert found Allen for a touchdown late in the first quarter to take a 10-3 lead.
Las Vegas added another field goal early in the second, but Herbert responded with a 60-yard touchdown strike to Johnston to make it 17-6. Smith was picked off again before halftime, this time by safety Tony Jefferson, as the Chargers took the lead into the break.
Dicker added another field goal in the third to stretch the lead to 20-6. The Raiders controlled the clock with an 11-minute drive that ended in a field goal, but their offense stalled again late. After a turnover on downs gave Las Vegas a short field, Smith threw his third interception, this one grabbed by cornerback Donte Jackson, ending the comeback bid.
Despite a late-game fumble forced by a big hit from Maxx Crosby, the Raiders failed to capitalize, and the Chargers held on to cruise to the win.
The Raiders will look to bounce back against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders on the road on Sunday.
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