Chargers avoid Raiders' tie!

The Chargers prevented the Raiders' tie and achieved their second consecutive victory, winning 24-17 at SoFi Stadium. An interception by Asante Samuel Jr. returned Los Angeles to offense, in addition to Justin Herbert completing a deep pass of 51 yards with Josh Palmer to convert on third and ten, allowing the Californians to maintain possession and run out the game clock.

Herbert, who used a splint on his left hand after a cut, finished the game with 13 completed passes out of 24 attempts, achieving 167 yards, with a touchdown to Keenan Allen (three receptions for 32 yards) and an interception by Trevor Moehrig. He also carried the ball 12 times for 27 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The rookie Aidan O’Connell, who started as the starting quarterback after Jimmy Garoppolo was ruled out due to concussion protocol, threw for 238 yards (24 of 39 completed passes) and a rushing touchdown, but was intercepted when looking to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Khalil Mack was always lurking, sacking him six times. Josh Jacobs tried on offense for Las Vegas, with 58 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown, in addition to eight receptions for 81 yards, but the Raiders did not recover and have a record of 1-3.

Scoring Plays

The score was open in the first quarter when Herbert reached the end zone with a 12-yard run, but the Raiders tied it with a 1-yard run by O’Connell.

The Chargers dominated the second quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker, a 7-yard pass from Herbert to Allen, and another 1-yard run by Herbert, going into halftime with the lead (24-7).

The reaction came in the second half: Daniel Carlson reduced the difference with a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Jacobs scored with a 1-yard run in the final period. But although they recovered the ball and had the opportunity to tie the game, Samuel read the play well, outpositioned Jakobi Meyers, and crushed the comeback attempt.