Defense Starts Season Strong
It took just one series for the Raiders defensive line to make an impact. On third-and-four on the opening possession of the game, the pocket collapsed and Maxx Crosby got to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert for his first sack of the season.
On the next drive on defense, it was second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett, who knocked the ball out of Quentin Johnston's hands to force another punt.
After a failed first-down conversion by the offense, the defense took over on a short field and allowed just five yards on four plays to force a field goal. Later in the half, they responded again to a quick possession change after a fumble by the offense gave the Chargers the ball at the Raiders 12-yard line.
With a halftime score of 7-6, the Raiders held the Chargers to just 83 total yards in the first half. That's the Raiders' fewest yards allowed in the first half of a game since 2019 Week 15 vs. the Jaguars (75) and fewest in a road game since 2011 Week 10 at the Chargers (65).
Mattison Makes An Impact
The Raiders offense failed to convert on a third-and-one rush on their first drive of the game and a fourth-and-one rush on their second possession.
However, on the third drive, Gardner Minshew II and the offense found a rhythm. Minshew got things started with two third-down completions to Davante Adams, which advanced the ball to the Chargers 31-yard line.
On the very next play, Minshew completed a pass to Alexander Mattison and the running back did the rest.
Mattison evaded a diving tackle attempt from one Chargers defender, hurdled over another and beat the rest of the defense down the sideline for the Raiders' first touchdown of the season.
Spreading The Love
While the rushing attack struggled to get going with just 24 yards on 11 carries (2.2 avg.), the offense found the most success when Minshew had time to throw downfield. He completed 11-of-15 passes in the first half for 127 yards and one touchdown.
Minshew completed passes to seven different players.
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers led all players with 32 receiving yards in the first game of his professional career.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and safety Marcus Epps (1) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) and tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) runs after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) runs after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) runs after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) celebrates after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) celebrates with quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) celebrates with tight end Michael Mayer (87) after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) and linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) and linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 32-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) and defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
