Browsing: Chargers

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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The Los Angeles Chargers jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half of Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it wasn’t all good news for the visitors.

Pass-rusher Khalil Mack was ruled out for the remainder of the game because of an elbow injury. He was seen on the sidelines with his arm in a sling.

Mack was limited to just seven games in 2021 but has otherwise been durable throughout his career.

He appeared in at least 14 games in each of his other 10 seasons since he entered the league as the No. 5 overall pick of the 2014 NFL draft, including when he played 16 contests in his age-33 season in 2024.

However, it seems like the Buffalo product may miss some time moving forward following Monday’s setback.

Mack has been more than just durable during his dominant career. He has also been one of the league’s best defensive players with a list of accomplishments that includes the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, three First-Team All-Pro nods and nine Pro Bowl selections.

While he is 34 years old and perhaps not as unstoppable as he once was, he was still a Pro Bowler last season and is just one full year removed from when he posted 17 sacks during the 2023 campaign.

He also figured to be even more important for the Chargers’ defensive front this season with Joey Bosa no longer on the roster, but it will be up to others to anchor the pass rush until he is ready to return.

That could mean more playing time for Bud Dupree or Caleb Murphy in the immediate future.

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