Justin Herbert throws 3 touchdowns passes as Chargers beat Raiders
2 years ago
Chargers #Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler #30 runs fora first down against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett #7 runs for a first down against Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram #24 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders fans cheer against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett #7 runs for a first down against Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram #24 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley looks on against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley looks on after a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams #17 catches a pass for first down against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tre’ McKitty #88 catches a pass and drops the ball against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley #25 runs for a first down against Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jayon Brown #50 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. #3 tackles Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams #17 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers DeAndre Carter high fives Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 after a touchdown catch against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley #25 runs for a first down against Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jayon Brown #50 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 scrambles against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 scrambles against Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman #52 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers DeAndre Carter reacts after a touchdown catch against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 catches a pass for a first down against Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig #25 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. #3 tackles Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams #17 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins #10 catches a pass for first down against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. #3 sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. #3 sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. #3 rects after sacking Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (not pictured) in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chargers and Raiders fans prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
INGLEWOOD — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Chargers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 24-19 in their season-opening game Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Herbert completed 26 of 34 passes for 279 yards as the Chargers delivered a payback of sorts to their AFC West rivals.
The Raiders defeated the Chargers in overtime in last season’s final regular-season game to knock them out of the playoffs. The NFL schedule-makers matched the teams for the 2022 opener, a showcase game on the opening Sunday of the new season.
The Chargers’ upgraded defense was on display during an opening half in which they held the Raiders to only a field goal on their opening drive en route to a 17-3 lead. Khalil Mack, the centerpiece of their offseason moves, sacked Las Vegas quarterback Derek Carr twice in the first half.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill then delivered an interception that led to the second of Herbert’s two second-quarter touchdown passes. Herbert threaded a 23-yard strike between two defenders to DeAndre Carter for a 17-3 lead for the Chargers with 35 seconds left in the half.
The Chargers intercepted Carr three times by game’s end. Asante Samuel Jr. and Bryce Callahan had fourth-quarter picks.
Carter replaced Keenan Allen, who left the game in the second quarter because of a hamstring injury and was later ruled out for a return to the game. Carter was signed in the offseason to be the Chargers’ kickoff and punt returner, but showed during training camp he could do so much more.
Herbert also threw a one-yard scoring pass to fullback Zander Horvath, breaking a 3-3 tie with 9:34 left in the half. Herbert completed 17 of 20 passes for 204 yards and two TDs. His TD passes extended his streak of TD passes to 22 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
Carr drove the Raiders down the field to start the third quarter, connecting with Brandon Bolden on an 18-yard scoring pass to cut the Chargers’ lead to 17-10. Herbert countered with an 18-yard pass to Gerald Everett on the ensuing possession to restore the Chargers’ two-touchdown lead.
The Raiders got within 24-19 on Carr’s three-yard touchdown pass to former Fresno State teammate Davante Adams. A two-point conversion pass fell incomplete. Dustin Hopkins’ 49-yard field try sailed wide left on the Chargers’ previous possession. He earlier hit from 43 yards.
Mack’s strip sack of Carr on fourth down at the Raiders’ 29 with less than two minutes to go sealed the deal.
More to come on this story.
Elliott Teaford covers the Los Angeles Chargers for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He covered the Anaheim Ducks for 19 seasons, including eight of the past 10 for SCNG. He covered their Stanley Cup championship team in 2006-07. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10, and the Clippers for one. He is a Long Beach State graduate.
