Raiders @ Chargers
Final Score: Chargers 24, Raiders 17
Writer: Jason Wolf (J_Wolf_Picks on Twitter)
Starting in place of the injured QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders’ Rookie QB and preseason darling Aidan O’Connell made his first NFL start on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. O’Connell got his Welcome to the NFL moment real quick as he was pressured relentlessly on passing downs and was sacked seven (7!) times on the day, six of which were by Khalil Mack (one sack shy of tying the all time record of seven by Derrick Thomas). The Chargers dominated the first half and found themselves up 24-7 before being hold scoreless in the second half and needing to stave off a desperate comeback attempt from the Raiders to seal the win in the waning minutes. Justin Herbert danced around defenders, dropped some dimes, and showed real grit in finishing out the game and playing through injury in order to help his team secure the win.
Three Up
- Josh Jacobs – No matter who’s playing at QB, Jacobs is going to get his touches and most likely some counting stats as well. Jacobs ran hard, made defenders miss in the backfield and turned several nothing plays into something. Even though the Raiders were playing from behind essentially the entire game, Jacobs showed how a true three-down back can carry an entire team’s offense in this one. Dangerous out of the backfield as a receiver and tough to bring down as a runner, he displayed the full package against the Chargers, constantly churning out yardage and chunk plays.
- Justin Herbert – No Austin Ekeler, no Mike Williams, no problem! Herbert didn’t light up the box score today passing wise but he showed off some serious rushing chops like he hadn’t done before. Combining pristine pocket awareness, surprising escapability and impressive speed, he made numerous plays using his feet to pick up yards and punch in a couple of touchdowns. If Herbert can compliment his passing ability with mobility he showed today, defenses are in trouble.
- Austin Ekeler – As solid as Joshua Kelley was on the ground for the Chargers, there is simply no replacing Austin Ekeler. Using the combined talents of Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, and speedy receiver Derius Davis in the backfield still didn’t equate to Ekeler’s production and talent. Seeing the Chargers’ commitment to Kelley on the ground and in the RZ in this game is encouraging for Ekeler’s usage when he comes back as he can (and does) do it all for the Chargers.
Three Down
- Quentin Johnston – With Mike Williams out and facing a highly suspect Raiders defense, this was supposed to be Johnston’s coming out game. Not receiving many targets and showing rookie inconsistency, Johnston doesn’t appear as ready to contribute as the fantasy community (and the Chargers) had hoped.
- Hunter Renfrow – Renfrow’s days of PPR glory appear to be over as neither Jimmy G nor O’Connell seem too intent on getting him the ball. The addition of Jakobi Meyers further muddles things for Renfrow.
- Raiders TE’s – Raiders targeted their TE’s two times in this game with both targets going to Austin Hoooper. Starting to wonder why they signed Hooper and drafted Michael Mayer…
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Aidan O’Connell: 24/39, 238 Yards, INT, seven sacks | 3 Carries, 3 Yards, TD, 2 Fumble (Lost)
Making his first start, Aidan O’Connell certainly didn’t light up the box score and who could blame him? The poor guy was sacked seven times, under constant duress, and never had a chance to let plays develop, especially on 3rd down where the Raiders went 1/11. When O’Connell was given time to throw, he showed a willingness to look downfield to the intermediate passing game and displayed solid accuracy when throwing the ball past the first down marker. O’Connell made some expected rookie mistakes such as holding the ball too long and taking unnecessary sacks as well as missing some throws that are expected to be made of a starting NFL quarterback. Overall, given what he was working with, O’Connell was actually impressive. He showed poise when taking sack after sack and he got more comfortable as the game went on, especially in the fourth quarter comeback charge.
Notes
- Needs to work on getting the ball out faster as several times he got stuck staring downfield when he had nice and easy short gains available to him. He started to gain momentum later in the game as he checked down more and found some rhythm.
- Displays a nice deep ball on a dime to Jakobi Meyers, but it doesn’t go in the box score as Meyers gets called for offensive P.I. One of O’Connell’s best throws on the day.
- Second fumble not his fault at all as pocket collapsed before he could release the ball.
- Awareness in the pocket is not the best as his third fumble is purely a result of him holding the ball too long.
- Much more decisive in the fourth quarter, really picked up steam late.
Missed Opportunities
- On a PA pass (10:36, 2Q), O’Connell steps up in the pocket nicely around pressure and throws the ball slightly behind Davante Adams for an incompletion. If delivered properly, he hits Adams in stride for 25+ yard gain and first down.
- Had a layup throw to Josh Jacobs out of the backfield but because ball was too high, what would have been an easy 5-10 yards making a much more manageable third down was a 3rd and long which led to a punt.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: 17 Carries, 58 Yards, TD | 11 Targets, 8 Receptions, 81 Yards
Jacobs was everywhere doing everything for the Raiders. He was O’Connell’s #1 target in the passing game, targeted 11 times, hauling in eight receptions for 80 yards. Jacobs was the most consistent presence in not just the offense but the passing game as well, acting as a safety valve for his rookie QB. Jacobs ran like a beast, constantly churning out extra yardage after contact and bullying defenders at all levels of the field. Jacobs flashed excellent hands out of the backfield all game, making catches that had extra degree of difficulty on them due to slight inaccuracies. Jacobs’ elite combination of power and ability to make cuts was on full display, weaving his way through holes in the defense with the ball in his hands. When the Raiders were struggling to move the ball, they repeatedly went to Jacobs and he delivered, at times appearing to be the entire offense.
Notes
- Great job at blitz pickup. Little things like that keep him on the field and make him the complete three-down back that he is.
- Consistent designed screen passes and usage in the pass game is nice to see.
- Not afraid to lower pad level and seek out contact.
- Excellent patience and vision in the backfield
Missed Opportunities
- Why aren’t Raiders giving him the ball within the five yard line? Seems like a missed opportunity when they don’t.
Zamir White: 3 Carries, 15 Yards
Ameer Abdullah: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Used strictly in the passing game to spell Jacobs, Abdullah received no carries. He is a nice pass catching RB option though as he still displays shiftiness with the ball in his hands.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Davante Adams: 13 Targets, 8 Receptions, 75 Yards
Davante Adams didn’t make his first catch until midway through the third quarter but once he did, it was on like Donkey Kong. After seemingly being ignored in the first half with only one target, O’Connell remembered he has one of the great WR’s in the game and started peppering him with targets in the second half. It did wonders for the Raiders offense as the consistent stream of looks for Jacobs and Adams kept the ball moving down the field. When the Raiders were down by multiple scores, O’Connell started locking on to Adams, and he rewarded his QB by repeatedly burning man coverage for intermediate gains. Adams completely dominated the Raiders’ scoring drive in the fourth quarter, catching five balls and moving the chains every time Vegas needed a play. Even with a clearly unpolished rookie QB making his first start, Davante Adams was able to produce numbers (when actually targeted).
Notes
- Has elite hands, coming down with poorly thrown balls and tough catches while making it look routine.
- Simply cannot be contained in press/man coverage.
- Had an epic catch on 4th & 10 to keep the Raiders’ hopes alive when he displayed impeccable body control and amazing focus to come down with a tough catch near the sideline while falling out of bounds.
Missed Opportunities
- Made an excellent catch in traffic down at the goal line and was called down at the 1 yard line when in reality it was actually a touchdown. Doesn’t get the TD on the stat sheet but his day could have looked a lot nicer with the TD to round it out.
Jakobi Meyers: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 33 Yards
Meyers took a clear backseat to Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams in this one, only receiving four targets on the way to a quiet 33 yards. O’Connell wasn’t afforded much time to let intermediate routes develop, which is where Meyers does most of his work.
Missed Opportunities
- Meyers’ biggest play of the day was called back when he was called for offensive pass interference on a deep ball completion on a beautifully thrown ball by O’Connell. Excellent focus and hands to make the catch but a clear penalty in the process.
Hunter Renfrow: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards
Notes
- Timing with O’Connell not quite there.
Missed Opportunities
- 3rd & 1 (end of 1H) when O’Connell throws a pass slightly behind Renfrow, causing the incompletion. Renfrow got both hands on it but it was slightly too difficult to totally blame him for not coming down with it.
Jakob Johnson: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Austin Hooper: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Notes
- Only ran 26 routes and not being targeted on them. Raiders barely target their TE’s so far this year.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 13/24, 167 Yards, TD, INT | 12 Carries, 27 Yards, 2 TD
At this point, anyone who questions Justin Herbert’s “clutch gene” is either trolling or doesn’t watch the games. Herbert is undefeated in his career when his defense holds teams to 20 points or less, he is constantly being asked to win his team the games in dying minutes, and he plays through injury regularly, This game was no different as Herbert put in a gutsy performance after he injured his hand seemingly pretty bad to the point where it was impacting his ability to take snaps under center and throw the ball. Herbert didn’t have the best day on the stat sheet but he got it done when it mattered, made nice throws in the process and put his body at risk while rushing the ball 12 times for two touchdowns along the way. With limited weapons due to injury, Herbert fought through clear lack of rapport with his weapons as well as his injury to lead the way to victory. Herbert’s gunslinger mentality is a joy to watch and it pairs perfectly with Chargers’ HC Staley and his seemingly deranged tactics and it shows especially in moments like Herbert’s game-ending dime to Joshua Palmer on 3rd & 10. Most teams run the ball there to kill more clock but Herbert stepped up and delivered his best pass of the day, injured hand and all to secure the win.
Notes
- Displayed excellent ability to maneuver around defenders in the pocket and made numerous plays using his legs.
- Surprising lateral speed when he decides to take off, evidenced by his first TD run where he beat defender to the edge,
- Made a few questionable throws toward the redzone, finally got punished on a questionable throw on his interception. Not the worst result as it was essentially a punt, but some iffy decisions to throw into traffic.
- Had a super impressive scramble where Maxx Crosby had him dead to rights but Herbert juked Crosby out of his shoes.
- Didn’t look the same after his injury, appeared to be uncomfortable throwing the ball.
Running Back
Joshua Kelley: 17 Carries, 65 Yards
With Austin Ekeler out, Joshua Kelley was handed the reigns and he delivered on the ground. Though most of his carries went for only a couple yards, he ran hard and routinely fought for extra yardage, using his power and vision to push piles forward and plow through defenders at first contact. Kelley showed that he is a serviceable fill-in and decent runner but he isn’t making guys miss and ultimately is limited in his skill set.
Notes
- Absolutely no usage in the passing game whatsoever, with 0 targets.
- Great downhill runner, not so great laterally.
- Won’t make guys miss but will run through them.
- Had a really nice run where he lowered his shoulders and ran through multiple defenders, dragging them along the way for some tough YAC.
Isaiah Spiller: 5 Carries, 12 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
Isaiah Spiller was the clear backup to Kelley, only coming in occasionally to spell Kelley, mostly on third downs. Spiller had a nice play where he caught a ball out of the backfield and made a defender miss for extra yards.
Notes
- Offers more out of the backfield as a receiver and more speed than Kelley.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Keenan Allen: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards, TD
Keenan Allen wasn’t asked to do much in this one as he was only targeted five times, bringing down three balls for 32 yards and a touchdown. He was invisible for most of the game but when he was targeted he was seemingly wide open. Most of the time it seemed to be a result of the plays drawn up and working to perfection but it also speaks to Allen’s ability to get open. It seems like every time he catches the ball there’s barely a defender in the frame.
Notes
- Was wide open on his TD and was Herbert’s first read as well.
- Game plan didn’t call for him to do much as Chargers found themselves with a big early lead and several short fields.
Joshua Palmer: 8 Targets, 3 Receptions, 77 Yards
Joshua Palmer seems to be stepping into the Mike Williams role of being the big play/contested catch guy on the offense. Palmer was targeted eight times but only caught three balls, mostly due to the fact that the targets Palmer were getting had significantly higher degree of difficulty than Herbert’s other targets. Palmer’s targets had by far the highest aDOT and were mostly on deep/intermediate routes.
Notes
- The efficiency wasn’t there but it was due to the nature of his targets and the fact that Herbert was looking to Palmer’s way to make big plays.
- Brought down the game-clinching deep bomb from Herbert. Appears as if Herbert trusts Palmer to go and get any ball.
Quentin Johnston: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 18 Yards
There was a lot of talk about Quentin Johnston finally breaking out this week amid seeing increased volume and opportunities. That didn’t really happen as the Chargers didn’t need to pass as much in general and Johnston seems to be lacking polish. Johnston was on the field for the majority of offensive snaps but only saw a few targets due to game script and the fact that he doesn’t seem to be gaining much separation from his defenders.
Notes
- Made a sick catch on the first play of 2Q where he did well to come down with the ball despite the poor throw from Herbert on the run. He showed great body control in going way down to secure the ball before it hit the ground.
Missed Opportunities
- On 2nd & 13 from Chargers’ own endzone, Herbert dropped a beautiful dime to Johnston down the sideline and the ball hit him in the hands but wasn’t able to come down with it. Not the easiest play to make but certainly one they drafted him with the expectation of him making.
Gerald Everett: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
Everett had a more run-blocking focused role than usual as the Chargers elected to run the ball 37 times compared to only 23 passing plays. The Chargers’ TE’s had essentially no offensive looks as they were protecting a lead for the vast majority of the game.
Donald Parham Jr.: 1 Target