The wild AFC West is likely to be up for grabs in 2025, and on “Monday Evening Soccer,” one other essential divisional matchup takes middle stage.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have began the season 0-2 for the primary time since 2014, perhaps cracking the window of alternative open for Monday night time’s opponents, the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> and the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a>.
Whereas there’s loads of soccer left in 2025, the 0-2 begin for the Chiefs and the 1-0 begins for the Chargers and Raiders would possibly supply a glimmer of hope for a non-Chiefs winner since 2015.
The Chargers might have laid a small little bit of a blueprint of methods to defeat Patrick Mahomes<\/a> and the Chiefs after they took them down in Brazil in Week 1<\/a>. Behind a pointy Justin Herbert<\/a> and a surprisingly pass-heavy offensive assault, Jim Harbaugh’s squad flew again stateside with a season-opening win.
It wasn’t as fairly for the Raiders in Week 1, however they came away with a win<\/a> of their very own vs. the New England Patriots to kick off the Pete Carroll period. Notably, first-round choose Ashton Jeanty<\/a> did not burst on the scene as some anticipated; Jeanty completed his NFL debut with 19 carries for 38 yards.
His path would not get a lot simpler vs. the Harbaugh-coached protection on Monday night time. However perhaps Jeanty will give Carroll a birthday current by the use of powering a Raiders win.
The Chargers and Raiders jockey for place within the division in an after-dark version of “Monday Evening Soccer.” USA TODAY Sports activities will present reside updates, highlights and extra from the matchup under.
The 2023 third-round choose Daiyan Henley sacked Geno Smith on a fourth down to provide the Chargers the ball in plus territory. A play later, rookie operating again Omarion Hampton fumbled to provide the Raiders a final gasp at making an attempt to make this a recreation late within the fourth quarter.
Geno Smith has insisted on throwing into visitors all night time. It hasn\u2019t labored out for the Raiders quarterback but.\u00a0
Smith threw his third interception of the sport with 5:58 left within the recreation and his workforce trailing 20-9. The Raiders had compelled a turnover on downs to get the ball again down two possessions, and Las Vegas entered the pink zone for the third time within the recreation. For the third time, they got here up and not using a landing.\u00a0
Smith was on the lookout for Jakobi Meyers up the seam however he as a substitute drew an excessive amount of consideration from Chargers security Derwin James, who tipped the move. Donte Jackson corralled the unfastened ball for the interception. It’s Smith\u2019s fifth profession recreation with three picks.
The drive went on for 11 minutes and 15 seconds however ended with solely three factors, because the Raiders nonetheless path by two possessions, 20-9.\u00a0
Las Vegas is 8-for-14 on third downs however is 0-for-2 within the pink zone. Geno Smith has accomplished 19 of 30 passing makes an attempt for 146 yards.\u00a0
Daniel Carlson hit his third discipline purpose of the sport, this one from 37 yards away. The drive took 19 performs to go 62 yards.
The Chargers possessed the ball for half of the third quarter, as their seven-minute, 30-second drive ended with a 20-yard discipline purpose from Cameron Dicker to make it 20-6, benefit street workforce.\u00a0
Los Angeles couldn\u2019t add one other landing regardless of having a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line. They did convert a fourth-and-2 earlier within the drive and lined 72 yards over 12 performs, the largest a 24-yard completion from Justin Herbert to rookie Tre Harris.\u00a0\u00a0
An arm punt maybe, however the move goes into the report books as Geno Smith\u2019s second interception of the sport.\u00a0
Smith heaved a third-and-7 play he prolonged to his proper to the Chargers\u2019 purpose line the place Tony Jefferson leapt for the choose. Dont\u2019e Thornton Jr. was Smith\u2019s supposed goal. Smith is now as much as three interceptions on the season and it gave the Chargers one other possession earlier than halftime.\u00a0
The Quentin Johnston renaissance rolls on. Justin Herbert had loads of time within the pocket to search out Johnston who was streaking broad open down the sector for a 60-yard landing on the primary play out of the two-minute warning earlier than halftime. The Chargers lead 17-6 with 1:51 to go within the second quarter. It was Johnston’s third landing of the younger season after he caught two within the Brazil opener towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.\u00a0
Cameras caught Khalil Mack again on the Chargers sideline along with his arm in a heavy bandage and likewise a sling. There was no official analysis for Mack, outdoors of being dominated out of the sport with an elbow harm.
On the ultimate play of the primary quarter, Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack obtained his left arm caught between ballcarrier Tre Tucker and Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Nonetheless. Mack gave the impression to be in loads of ache as he entered the medical tent on the sideline.\u00a0He would later make his strategy to the locker room with a coach.
It did not take too lengthy for the Chargers to leap again on high, with Justin Herbert and the L.A. offense getting going with an eight-play, 72-yard landing drive. Herbert capped it off with a strike to Keenan Allen within the again proper nook of the tip zone.
On a first-quarter scramble, quarterback Justin Herbert took a helmet-to-helmet hit from security Isaiah Pola-Mao because the quarterback was sliding. Pola-Mao was flagged for the hit, and Herbert would not miss any snaps afterwards.
If there was any query about how concerned Tom Brady is likely to be as a minority proprietor, not less than a few of them could be answered when the ESPN broadcast confirmed Brady up within the coaches’ field with a headset on in the course of the recreation. It is unclear what Brady’s doing, however he could also be simply taking within the recreation from a participant’s perspective.
The Raiders tight finish, who’s coping with a knee harm, caught his first move of the night time on a 3rd down deep in Raiders territory. Bowers is sporting a heavy brace on his knee and jogged gingerly off the sector after the catch.
Gaining a second possession lower than 90 seconds into the sport, the Raiders went 42 yards in 10 performs to arrange kicker Daniel Carlson\u2019s 54-yard attempt to tie the sport at 3 with 9:02 left within the first quarter. Ashton Jeanty had a 13-yard rush to get issues going for Las Vegas.
On his first carry of the competition, Ashton Jeanty made his presence identified by reducing his shoulder and sending Alohi Gilman into the turf. \u00a0
It didn\u2019t take lengthy for Raiders QB Geno Smith to cough up the soccer. Smith seemed for receiver Tre Tucker on the primary offensive snap of the sport, however Chargers security Alohi Gilman tipped the ball to third-year linebacker Daiyan Henley for the interception. It was Henley\u2019s second profession interception.\u00a0
After a Chargers three-and-out, Cameron Dicker made a 38-yard discipline purpose for the fast 3-0 lead.\u00a0
ESPN would be the broadcast residence of the Monday night time conflict between the Raiders and Chargers. Chris Fowler will likely be on the decision dealing with play-by-play duties. He will likely be flanked by Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick.
The Raiders protection remains to be suspect and the offense wants to search out its id, which goes to be very tough to do towards a violent Los Angeles unit. Couple that with the fascinating pass-heavy recreation plan that L.A. had in Week 1, and the Chargers choose up the street win in Vegas. \u2013 Joe Rivera<\/em>
Prediction:<\/strong> Chargers 24, Raiders 20
Tyler Dragon:<\/strong>\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>\u00a0(-3.5)
Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll meet once more. Harbaugh has the higher quarterback and workforce. Justin Herbert performed like a high 5 quarterback final week. The Chargers swept Las Vegas in Harbaugh’s first yr as head coach.
Christopher Bumbaca:<\/strong>\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
Justin Herbert doesn’t seem like messing round in 2025. Welcome to the big-boy desk, Justin, though Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is a worthy adversary.
Jon Hoefling:<\/strong>\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
The Raiders haven’t got the posh of an elite D-line like Kansas Metropolis had towards Los Angeles final week. Anticipate the Chargers to waste the clock away with a heavy dose of Hampton.
Jordan Mendoza:<\/strong>\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
This will lastly be the yr the Chargers take the following step in changing into a legit AFC energy. Justin Herbert continues the recent steak and pulls away from Las Vegas within the fourth quarter for a strong victory.
Lorenzo Reyes:<\/strong>\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
I feel the Chargers are a workforce that might develop into a contender within the AFC. The protection is aggressive and generates turnovers, and the offense is numerous. Justin Herbert can sling it across the discipline, and the Chargers can run the ball. I actually like Los Angeles on this spot.
Blake Schuster:<\/strong>\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
Between the Chargers’ run-heavy offense and the Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty, the underneath is likely to be one of the best guess right here. Nonetheless, I am going with Justin Herbert after he turned Kansas Metropolis’s protection into goop with 300-plus yards and three touchdowns.
With Raheem Mostert inactive, the Raiders backfield will likely be comprised of Ashton Jeanty, Zamir White and Dylan Laube. Brock Bowers is formally energetic.
Listed here are the remainder of the inactives:
No surprises for the Chargers as they enter their matchup comparatively wholesome vs. the Raiders. Listed here are the inactives for tonight’s recreation:
The Raiders tight finish is anticipated to play regardless of not having practiced nearly all of final week. Bowers exited Las Vegas’ Week 1 matchup with a knee difficulty.
The Raiders head coach turns 74 on Sept. 15, the oldest energetic coach within the NFL.
Carroll is 7 years older than Andy Reid, who’s 67.
Brady owns a 5% minority stake within the Raiders as of October 2024.
His buy of the stake from principal proprietor Mark Davis required approval from three-quarters of NFL workforce homeowners \u2013 24 of 32. The homeowners voted unanimously to approve the deal final fall.
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