Chargers @ Raiders
Final Score: Raiders 27, Chargers 20
Writer: Dave Cherman (@DaveCherman on Twitter)
A back-and-forth first half gave way to a completely one-sided third quarter and a fairly uneventful 4th as the underperforming Raiders just may have ended the Chargers’ season prematurely. In the third quarter, the Raiders uncorked a 45-yard flea flicker touchdown that blew the game wide open.
Flea flicker!
Back-to-back drives with a @tae15adams TD 😱
📺: #LACvsLV on CBS⁰📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5fID6CMIjK pic.twitter.com/KxaultGrQA
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022
The first drive started out fun for the Chargers with this fake punt conversion.
trickery.@SmoothplayJK | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/aVS0yiOErU
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 4, 2022
After a failed 4th quarter conversion in the red zone later that quarter, the Chargers’ offense was stuck in mud until the 4th quarter, generating only a defensive touchdown before we got one of those classic throws that we only get once every few years.
on fourth down…. @Keenan13Allen | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/LjM9liyqOH
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 5, 2022
In the end, the Chargers couldn’t get all the way back despite two opportunities in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 28/47, 335 Yards, TD | 5 Carries, 7 Yards, 2 Fumble (Recovered)
All season, Herbert has been let down by his offensive line. That continued today against the Raiders. Throughout the first half, Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, and even Jerry Tillery abused the Chargers’ offensive line, routinely collapsing the pocket quickly and forcing Herbert into either sacks or poor throws. It makes sense when you remember that:
LT: Rashawn Slater (All-Pro)- Out for the season, replaced by 6th-round rookie
LG: Matt Feiler
C: Corey Linsley (All-Pro)- Out this week
RG: Zion Johnson (1st round pick)- missed most of the game with injuries
RT: Trey Pipkins (starter)- Out this week
In the fourth quarter, the Chargers finally found a rhythm. Herbert nearly orchestrated the comeback but the refs missed a blatant pass interference on 3rd down and DeAndre Carter dropped a sideline catch on 4th.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler: 10 Carries, 35 Yards | 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 67 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Joshua Kelley: 7 Carries, 30 Yards | 1 Target
It is truly and deeply painful to watch the Chargers try to establish a running game. Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley both had no room to run at any point, forcing the offense into long 3rd downs. As usual, Ekeler was a major factor in the passing game, picking up underneath targets and screens for as much as he could get.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Keenan Allen: 14 Targets, 6 Receptions, 88 Yards, TD
Joshua Palmer: 11 Targets, 7 Receptions, 60 Yards
DeAndre Carter: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 14 Yards
Gerald Everett: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 80 Yards
The touchdown catch was, obviously, insane, and Keenan Allen‘s overall line looks strong as a result. The truth is, Keenan was a non-factor for the first 2.5 quarters. Allen was frequently bracketed with safety help and simply could not get separation against the Raiders until their coverage got a bit softer in the third quarter. On the touchdown, we saw Allen’s elite ball tracking and body control, which he needed because he didn’t get much separation on that play either.
Justin Herbert to Keenan Allen on 4th down!!@NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/sNXXGlZNx5
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) December 5, 2022
I don’t think we’re truly appreciating Josh Palmer‘s breakout over his last six games. In those 6 games, he has yet to have fewer than 7 targets and has 1 game under 5 catches and 50 yards. Yes, he’s played each of those games without Mike Williams and/or Keenan Allen, but his potential is starting to show.
The real star for the Chargers was Gerald Everett, who routinely took checkdowns for extra yards with physicality and athleticism. While he didn’t have any huge gains, he looked excellent with the ball in his hands.
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Derek Carr: 16/30, 250 Yards, 2 TD, INT
The Raiders got the win and Derek Carr had two excellent throws, but overall, he was pretty average in this one. Carr couldn’t get much of anything moving in the first half, but broke things open in the third quarter with two deep touchdowns to.. who else? The second of which was that beautifully executed flea flicker.
Carr impressively withstood the pressure and delivered an absolute strike off his back foot to a wide-open Adams. The pick was a bad read played well by the defense.
Bryce Callahan pick-six!
📺: #LACvsLV on CBS⁰📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5fID6CMIjK pic.twitter.com/5BYOGg7mWq
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: 26 Carries, 144 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Zamir White: 2 Carries, 6 Yards
One of the league’s best running backs versus the league’s worst run defense… what did we expect? There were no 40+ yard runs in this one. Rather, Josh Jacobs picked up chunk yards almost every time he touched the ball. He showed serious burst on the touchdown run, flying past the line on his way to the endzone.
He's baaaaaack 👀@iAM_JoshJacobs IN FOR SIX!
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/AYqfLV6UCG
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 4, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Davante Adams: 12 Targets, 8 Receptions, 177 Yards, 2 TD
Mack Hollins: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 35 Yards
Foster Moreau: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 32 Yards
The statline doesn’t lie- Davante Adams was open time and time and time and time again in this game, routinely flexing his elite route running. Even when Adams was somehow covered, he made some of the craziest catches of any player in the NFL, including a spectacular 4th down catch where he just couldn’t get the second foot down.
The first touchdown was one of the better catches you’ll see, somehow bringing this score down through incredibly tight coverage.
He's just so good 🥹@tae15adams WITH THE QUICK TD
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/SjPIjFfjDv
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 4, 2022
The second touchdown looks even better from the Adams angle.
When folks wonder why every CB that faces @tae15adams says hes the best WR in football. Check the tape.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 4, 2022
After Adams, Mack Hollins was only used as an underneath target in the slot. Foster Moreau was a nonfactor, getting most of his usage in the running game.