Welcome to the 2024 NFL season.
In Week 1, the Chargers play at home against the Las Vegas Raiders in a divisional game that could set the tone for the start of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach.
Wide receiver DJ Chark was recently placed on the injured list, making the Bolts’ receiver corps even more inexperienced than before. They will rely on Joshua Palmer to carry the load along with young players Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey.
The Raiders will start with Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback, overcoming second-year passer Aidan O’Connell, who enjoyed being sacked six times by Khalil Mack in Week 4 of these teams’ meeting last season.
This game will also mark Jesse Minter’s debut as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, and he will get the chance to face All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and the talented duo of Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
AFC West games are always extremely competitive and this contest should be no exception.
For a complete quarter-by-quarter recap of tonight’s game, click here.
First quarter
After winning the coin toss, the Raiders decided to forfeit. The ball was in the Chargers’ possession at the start of the game.
The first drive of the game began after a strong return from Derius Davis from beyond the 35-yard line. Tight end Will Dissly caught the first pass of the game and ran 13 yards for a first down. On the next play, Dissly was charged with a false start, which ultimately derailed the drive as Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby prevented their second and third downs with a no-gain stop and a sack of Herbert, respectively.
Jesse Minter’s first real attack as defensive leader went as well as one could hope for, forcing a quick three-and-out, highlighted by a run by Joey Bosa and Alohi Gilman just outside the posts.
Dissly was penalized for a false start for the second time on the second play of the ensuing drive, which led to another punt. Herbert’s pass was incomplete to Quentin Johnston on third down.
The Raiders got what appeared to be a first down on their second drive of the game, but the referees ruled it a half-yard short. Antonio Pierce risked a run on fourth down, but Poona Ford, the Chargers’ first-year defensive tackle, escaped the center’s block and blocked Zamir White for a loss of one yard.
The Bolts started on the Raiders’ side, running Edwards seven yards on the first and second attempts. Unfortunately, Dissly was assessed his third penalty of the game – this time a holding flag – which again ended the drive early. Herbert hit Johnston with a short crosser to get them back into field goal range, and Cameron Dicker was good from 53 yards to give the Bolts a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Minshew and All-Pro receiver Davante Adams finally connected as the two combined for two 30-yard completions, both on big third down attempts. On first-and-10 from the Chargers’ 31-yard line, Minshew hit running back Alexander Mattison in the flat, who leapt over Asante Samuel Jr. and Daiyan Henley before clearing the sideline and sprinting into the end zone.
With 45 seconds left in the quarter, the Raiders led 7-3.
