We’ve made it to week one! It’s been a long offseason full of expectations and excitement. And the Los Angeles Chargers are about to face one of their rivals for this season opener. The last time the Chargers faced the Raiders, things could not have gone more wrong, but, with the way this defense was playing during preseason, and how Justin Herbert has looked since returning from injury, we’re in for quite a game.
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Here are some things to keep an eye on this first matchup:
Justin Herbert’s Wide Receiver Connections
This is Justin Herbert’s first game without wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen on the roster and it’s the first where rookies like Ladd McConkey may make their debut. This is the game where Quentin Johnston can prove his growth as a receiver. While DJ Chark, if he plays, will be looking to show that he belongs in this new Chargers offense. Josh Palmer will be stepping into that number-one wide receiver spot for the first time in his NFL career, so this will also be a test as to whether he can handle the spotlight.
Hopefully, this game will show that Herbert has developed good chemistry during camp with all these guys, despite missing a couple of weeks with an injury to his plantar fascia. Though the running game is going to be the focus, the passing game needs to be on point for this team to thrive.
Pass and Run Blocking with The Chargers Tight Ends
The run game is hugely important in making this team successful this year and for the first time in a long time, it feels like the Chargers have the right pieces to make it happen, and part of that is because they’ve emphasized having complete tight ends with the ability to make those picture-perfect receptions while adding security to the offensive line.
Tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst were added in the offseason just for that purpose. Dissly’s run blocking has been consistent over the last several years, and tight ends coach/run game coordinator Andy Bischoff has already praised Dissley for owning the “c-gap.” Hurst has been working throughout the summer to improve his blocking and will hopefully progress to more of a complete tight end throughout the season. Others like Stone Smartt are also making strides. These tight ends will be put to the test against the edge rushing power of Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce in this game.
The Run Game
Preseason wasn’t exactly a great demonstration of the new and improved run game but with the starting offensive line in place, with some help from the tight ends and fullback/backup defensive lineman Scott Matlock, it’s on pace to thrive.
We’ve now entered a time where multiple Chargers running backs could be stars and that’s exciting, as it’s been a one-man show for this team for the last few years. J.K. Dobbins is looking to prove he can stay healthy and be dominant while Gus Edwards is looking to build off a stellar 2023. And they’ve got a burner in rookie Kimani Vidal who was a standout during the second preseason matchup and may see some reps in this first game.
The New Offensive Line
This is the game to see if that newly-tooled offensive line can hold. Right tackle Joe Alt looked good in the preseason matchups and seems to have adapted well to his position change, while I’m curious to see how right guard Trey Pipkins fairs with his.
I have more confidence in this line with the veteran center presence of Bradley Bozeman and with left tackle Rashawn Slater healthy. Left guard Zion Johnson has been working hard all offseason and looks ready to take some big leaps. The hope is they, in combination with the complete tight ends and wide receivers, are enough to protect Herbert, especially against a relentless pass rush and the monster that is defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, who had a career-high in sacks last year (10).
Coverage of Raiders’ Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
The Chargers had some big defensive stops during preseason including quite several pass breakups in clutch situations. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. now has the help of Kristian Fulton and a more experienced Ja’Sir Taylor, as well as rookies like Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, in addition to Deane Leonard who looked so good this offseason, so those explosive plays and breaks on the perimeter should be a thing of the past.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), last season the receiver coverage during both Raiders games wasn’t great, and in addition to wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, along with tight end Michael Mayer, the Chargers will also have to contend with rookie tight end Brock Bowers if he’s able to play. Tashan Reed and Ted Nguyen of The Athletic reported that the Raiders have been using more 12-personnel packages with Mayer and Bowers. This is where safety Derwin James will come in handy. It’ll be interesting to see how James is used in this matchup to ensure coverage on these weapons and perhaps with his role simplified, he’ll be able to contribute more.
Safety Alohi Gilman had the highest receiver coverage grade of the Chargers’ defense last year, along with highs across the board in areas like solo tackles and coverage snaps played, and one of his weaker coverage games was against the Raiders, so this game could be his bounce back. Safety A.J. Finley, who made a splash in training camp and preseason games, may see the field.
This secondary in particular is going to say a lot in terms of if the Chargers defense has changed or if we’re doomed to see another year of a lot of busted coverage.
Chargers Pass Rush
The Chargers pass rush will (*fingers crossed*) be in full force for this next game. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu are both coming off great 2023s and are looking to continue that this season, while Joey Bosa and Bud Dupree are looking to make comebacks after less-than-stellar previous seasons. Gardner Minshew is the perfect quarterback for their first matchup because he’s not exactly a player in his prime, so it may give this position group a little confidence boost early on if any can get a couple of sacks this first game.