The Los Angeles Chargers won a pivotal AFC showdown over the Las Vegas Raiders, 34-20. The team was headed by Justin Herbert, who threw for 346 yards and two scores. Quentin Johnston set a new career high with 13 receptions for 186 yards. With the victory, the Chargers locked up the fifth spot in the AFC playoffs.
Overview of the Match
With 473 yards to 264, the Chargers easily outgained the Raiders offensively. With 38:58 minutes of possession, they were clearly the better team. With 26 first downs to the Chargers’ 16, the Raiders were unable to stay up. Los Angeles executed crucial plays despite early problems in the red zone.
Player Stats Table
| Player | Team | Position | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | Quarterback | 28/36 completions, 346 passing yards, 2 TDs, 42 rushing yards |
| Quentin Johnston | Los Angeles Chargers | Wide Receiver | 13 receptions, 186 receiving yards |
| Ladd McConkey | Los Angeles Chargers | Wide Receiver | 5 receptions, 95 receiving yards |
| Aidan O’Connell | Las Vegas Raiders | Quarterback | 25/36 completions, 214 passing yards, 2 TDs |
| Jakobi Meyers | Las Vegas Raiders | Wide Receiver | 9 receptions, 123 receiving yards, 1 TD |
Important Times
- The lead was extended to 27-13 when Herbert ran 41 yards, which set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Will Dissly.
- The Chargers’ defense was resolute, despite Aidan O’Connell’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers.
- Jakobi Meyers joined 11 other undrafted players in surpassing 1,000 receiving yards.
- Herbert completed a pass to DJ Chark for six yards just before halftime, putting the Chargers ahead 17-10.
Team Statistics
| Category | Chargers | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 473 | 264 |
| Passing Yards | 336 | 225 |
| Rushing Yards | 137 | 39 |
| 1st Downs | 26 | 16 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 7-14 | 2-9 |
| Time of Possession | 38:58 | 21:02 |
Key Points from the Match
- Herbert completed passes with an excellent level of accuracy, 77% to be exact.
- Just before halftime, the Chargers’ defense shifted the tide by forcing an important interception.
- Critics were hushed by Quentin Johnston, who delivered his best performance of the season.
- The Sin City offense had a hard time getting off the ground, accumulating just 39 yards on the ground.
- The Chargers’ well-rounded attack put the Raiders’ defense to the test.
Proximity to Future Events
In the AFC Wild Card round, the Chargers will meet the Texans of Houston. With the Raiders’ 4-13 record at season’s end, head coach Antonio Pierce’s job security is called into question. While Las Vegas gets ready for the offseason, Los Angeles is riding high into the playoffs.
