Totaling more turnovers than scoring drives in a ballgame is a recipe for disaster; the Las Vegas Raiders learned that the hard way as they dropped Week 1’s contest to the Los Angeles Chargers on the road.
For the first time since early January, regular season football was played throughout Sunday–and it felt magical. Eight quarterbacks across the National Football League lined up under center for the first time on their new team, from 12-year veteran Kirk Cousins to rookies Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix.
Las Vegas Raiders’ signal caller Gardner Minshew was among those eight quarterbacks himself.
The 28-year-old quarterback began his Sin City tenure by completing 25 of his 33 pass attempts for 257 yards and a touchdown. His 75.8% completion percentage not only ranks first among quarterbacks in their debut through Raiders’ history, but sixth-highest among quarterbacks debuting for any team since 1950.
That was the main positive for the Raiders’ offense on Sunday.
The negatives start with Minshew’s two turnovers, one interception and one fumble, both coming in the two-minute drill. With 1:30 left in the first half, Minshew threw a fumble to the far left side of the field that former Raider Khalil Mack scooped up and returned to Las Vegas’ 11 yard-line.
Yes, you read that correctly; threw a fumble.
Later on, with 1:45 left in the game, Minshew attempted a dump off to Alexander Mattison that was tipped at the line of scrimmage and consequently picked off by Poona Ford.
All in the meanwhile, the Raiders ran the ball 22 times for a total of 71 yards (3.22 YPC). It’s no wonder the offense only mustered up 10 points through four quarters of football.
Las Vegas did showcase their fair share of positives, however; largely on the defensive side of things.
Alex’s Raider Roundup: Takeaways from Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 1 contest vs Los Angeles Chargers
Although the Raiders mustered up a mere 10 points in total, a few offensive players managed to shine bright.
Alexander Mattison scored the Silver and Black’s lone touchdown, taking a dumpoff pass 31 yards to the house. Josh Jacobs hauled in 197 passes as a Raider with zero going into the end zone; Mattison accomplished this feat on his first reception with the team.
The former Viking caught four balls for 43 yards, adding 19 rushing yards on five carries.
Brock Bowers reminded everyone exactly why he was a first-round selection as he totaled six catches for 58 yards. Bowers’ six catches tied for second-most in league history among tight ends during their debut.
Davante Adams started his campaign with 59 yards on five receptions, moving the chains each time he caught the football. His counterpart, Jakobi Meyers, ended the day with a team-high 61 receiving yards.
And while Zamir White ran for zero yards on his first four carries combined, ‘Zeus’ began looking better as the game progressed; although he too coughed up the football.
Three turnovers will negate offensive positives on most nights. Sunday’s contest was no exception to that.
Sin City’s ferocious defense
Las Vegas surrendered 22 points and 135 rushing yards to J.K. Dobbins but put on a masterclass performance prior to feeling the fatigue in the second half.
Throughout the first half, the Raiders’ defense allowed only three first downs, each on a different drive. None of the seven drives by the Chargers lasted more than four plays during this time.
Sin City had several players contribute towards this success.
Three-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby hit home on a pass-rush to end a drive. Second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett broke up a pass on third down. The defensive line as a whole continuously forced pressure and clogged up running lanes.
Unfortunately, the Raiders’ offense couldn’t capitalize on their team’s excellent defense, scoring just seven points on their seven first half drives.
On the Chargers’ first drive of the second half, J.K. Dobbins chewed off a 47-yard run to get inside the 10. Las Vegas held their ground, though, forcing the Chargers to settle for a field goal.
It wasn’t until Los Angeles’ 10th drive that they finally managed to punch it into the end zone courtesy of a 12-yard Dobbins run.
The Raiders’ offense may not have given much to be excited about, but the defense certainly did.
The Bottom Line
Las Vegas didn’t put on their best performance in Week 1 of the new campaign, but that doesn’t necessarily mean much of anything. What does mean a lot, however, is how Antonio Pierce and his guys respond to this loss in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Can Sin City put on a competitive showing against the Ravens who lost to Kansas City on Thursday Night Football? That will be the real test.
