Versus: Raiders safety has taken noticeable leap this season, plus young offensive playmakers on the rise

Jan 01, 2025 at 04:12 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

Aidan O'Connell vs. Justin Herbert

Aidan O'Connell has come into his own over the last few games after enduring a tough 2024 season.

The second-year quarterback started the season as backup to Gardner Minshew II before stepping in as the starter in Week 6. However, a thumb injury the following week sidelined him for four games. Since coming back from that injury, he's thrown for 943 yards and a 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio.

Last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, he went 6-of-14 on passes over 10 air yards for 120 yards and a touchdown. His 10.1 air yards per attempt in the win is the second-highest mark of his career, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

"I think, obviously, it's the end of my second year now and so I haven't been around for too long. But definitely any reps you can get, I talk about a lot, being able to even bank reps throughout the week I think is super valuable," O'Connell said. "And then any game experience I can get is super valuable. So, trying to take advantage of every rep, every situation and learn from them. Success, failure, put them in the bank and just try to grow."

If the Chargers choose to play their starters, he's positioned for another quarterback duel with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who is enjoying one of best seasons to date. His three interceptions are the least of any starting quarterback this season (min. 300 attempts) and he has thrown 21 passing touchdowns. His 10 wins this season tie his most in a year since being drafted in 2020.

In O'Connell's last encounter with the Chargers in Week 15 of 2023, he threw a career-high four touchdowns in a 63-21 victory. Herbert has a 5-3 career record against the Silver and Black, with a 16:2 touchdown to interception ratio in those eight games.

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Brock Bowers vs. Ladd McConkey

The two Georgia teammates turned AFC West rivals will meet again to close out the season after both enjoying stellar rookie seasons with their respective teams.

Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey spent three seasons at Georgia, winning two national championships together. They combined for 86 receptions, 1,192 yards and eight receiving touchdowns in their junior year with the Bulldogs.

Upon being drafted, both have become a top targets within their offenses, breaking records in the process. Bowers holds the Raiders record for most receptions in a single-season by any player and the most receiving yards by any rookie tight end in NFL history. McConkey, with a team-high 77 receptions for 1,054 receiving yards, broke the Chargers franchise record in both those categories in their Week 17 win over the Patriots.

McConkey's injury status will be something to follow throughout the week as he didn't participate in practice Wednesday (toe).

Tre'von Moehrig vs. Derwin James

Derwin James has been widely regarded as one of the best safeties in the league for awhile now. But another young safety in the division is making his way into the conversation.

Tre’von Moehrig has turned in his best season to date in 2024. The former Jim Thorpe Award winner has truly stepped up after Marcus Epps went on injured reserve in Week 3. Moehrig has totaled career highs in solo tackles (62), tackles for loss (five) and pass deflections (10). His 13 quarterback pressures are also the most of any Raiders defensive back this season.

"[O]bviously he has some interceptions there, but just to see the ability to blitz and the matchups on the back, on the tight end, physical player," Pierce said about Moehrig. "I mean, I think everything that everybody saw in college, now over this four-year span, you saw in this year combined, just a total effort of what he put together, and it's been really impressive to watch."

Meanwhile, James has continued to be a focal point of the Chargers defense, with 90 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and six pass deflections in 2024. He's one of two players to play at least 10% of their snaps on the line of scrimmage, as a slot corner, as a safety, and as a linebacker this season (min. 100 snaps). His 21 quarterback pressures are also the most of any defensive back this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

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Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.