The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers will wrap up Week 2 in the NFL, squaring off in the second game of a Monday Night Football doubleheader with first place in the AFC West on the line. Before the game, Michael Peterson from our friends at Bolts From the Blue was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Chargers for Raider Nation.
Q: Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman are known for leaning heavily on the running game, but Justin Herbert had 41 dropbacks last week despite the Chargers playing with the lead for the entire game. Is that a trend you expect to continue?
A: Yes, that’s actually what I expect to see each week in this given scenario, barring some massive surge by the rushing game that builds enough confidence in the coaching staff.
Without Rashawn Slater, the run game won’t be nearly as strong as it could have been this year. Instead, they’ll rely on short, efficient passes to their wideouts to help create an extension of the ground game, which will help them stay ahead of the chains.
As long as Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey are on the field for the Chargers, getting seven or eight yards at a time won’t be nearly as difficult as it was in 2024. At least, as long as this level of success can be sustained, then great. But it sure feels like at some point, the run game does need to take a step, or else teams later on in the year will surely find a way to exploit that shortcoming.
Q: Speaking of surprises with Los Angeles’ passing game, Quentin Johnston was the leading receiver against the Chiefs, recording five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Has Johnston finally turned the corner? Do you expect him to be a big part of the Chargers’ game plan this week and moving forward?
A: So I believe everyone may have some different “corner” for Johnston to turn this season, but I actually think this first game showed he’s exactly where he should be in the Chargers offense. Johnston is not likely to ever be a bona fide WR1, but he can absolutely be a matchup problem for a good playcaller.
Quentin Johnston
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 5: Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston #1 scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL game between Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on September 05, 2025, at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
What Roman showed against the Chiefs is that Johnston can be schemed open simply by getting him in the right spot and allowing him to beat his man to a spot. This is not unlike how the Chiefs got the most out of Tyreek Hill near and around the end zone. Johnston’s first touchdown was simply beating a man on a short crosser from one side of the field to the other. His second touchdown was the same thing, but flipping sides and further out. Herbert knew the blitz was coming, sprinted back in his drop and hit Johnston when he dusted the safety who could not keep up with him.
If Roman can continue to pick his spots for Johnston at the right time, then watch out. Don’t be surprised if he ends up leading the team in touchdowns again in 2025.
Q: Ideally, what’s the workload split between rookie Omarion Hampton and free-agent signing Najee Harris in LA’s backfield? Will Harris have a bigger role this week now that he’s recovered from the Fourth of July eye injury?
A: I think it’s safe to assume that Harris’ workload will increase with each week as he ramps back up from his eye injury, but I don’t think Hampton will ever relinquish his hold on the lion’s share of the backfield. Hampton is solid in pass pro and got all of training camp to work as the lead back. The two could very well become one of the best tandems in the league if the line can gel sooner rather than later, but this is Hampton’s backfield. If I had to put a legitimate split on it, I think the most even it gets is 60-40 in favor of Hampton.
Q: Joey Bosa was a salary cap casualty this offseason. Who is expected to step up and replace Bosa to keep the Chargers’ pass rush going?
A: The immediate name who is replacing Joey Bosa this year is third-year defender Tuli Tuipulotu. He led the Chargers in both tackles for loss and sacks in 2024 while filling in for the injured Bosa and has a strong chance of doing so again this season unless there’s another massive resurgence from veteran Khalil Mack.
Tuli Tuipulotu
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots tries to escape from the pressure from Tuli Tuipulotu #45 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Veteran Bud Dupree is now the team’s third edge rusher, but his splash plays come fairly few and far in between. He is still prone to some frustrating penalties and blown assignments, but you could do a lot worse.
One other name to watch for is Caleb Murphy, a former UDFA of the Titans who had over 20 sacks as a senior for Ferris State University (D2). He outplayed fourth-rounder Kyle Kennard in camp and is now EDGE4, which made Kennard an inactive on Friday.
Q: Can you give us one “under-the-radar” player on each side of the ball who you think will make an impact on Monday night?
A: Call this a gut feeling, but I predict rookie receiver Tre’ Harris to make a big play against the Raiders. He may end up with just one or two catches, but I predict he’ll be found by Herbert on a big first down or splash play down the field.
For the defense, watch out for rookie UDFA linebacker Marlowe Wax, who made the final 53 with a stellar preseason performance. With Denzel Perryman sidelined due to a high ankle sprain, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wax get some snaps in the middle with captain Daiyan Henley.
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