WHERE: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
WHEN:10 p.m. ET
WAYS TO WATCH: ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, NFL+
It’s an AFC West clash to close out Week 2.
Fresh off a victory from São Paulo, Brazil, over Kansas City, the Chargers are facing another division rival in the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Already a classic rivalry, adding Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll to the equation makes it even more entertaining considering their résumés. Monday's meeting will be the ninth time Carroll and Harbaugh face each other in the NFL with a split 4-4 record in the regular season. However, Carroll does have the edge, winning the lone postseason matchup in the 2013 NFC Championship Game.
With legendary coaches commanding the sidelines, both teams are looking to end their AFC West title droughts. The Chargers haven’t won the division since 2009 while the Raiders are on an even longer drought (2002). It appears this year the AFC West is once again one of the toughest divisions with talent across the board and well-known coaches leading each club, so Monday's matchup is crucial.
Last season, the Chargers won both games by double digits against the Raiders, but it appears the Silver & Black are heading toward a winning culture with Carroll at the helm. Monday’s game could provide an early statement win for either club.
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Two must-know storylines
1) Is this the year for Justin Herbert to take the next step?
After throwing for 318 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Chiefs, the MVP hype surrounding the Chargers quarterback is valid. It was a dominating showing by Herbert as he used his legs to extend plays and connected with eight different receivers in Brazil. The Chargers' pass catchers certainly looked improved with Quentin Johnston leading the group with 79 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Keenan Allen was back with the Chargers, and it was like he never left. Allen racked up a team-high 10 targets and caught seven of them for 68 yards and a score. And don't forget about Ladd McConkey. The second-year WR contributed six receptions for 74 yards. It's a talented unit, and the additions of Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton in the backfield look promising as a one-two punch. Herbert and Co. get another opportunity under the bright lights to showcase that their Week 1 win wasn't a fluke.
2) Raiders' new pieces are settling in perfectly
The reunion of Pete Carroll and Geno Smith in Las Vegas is off to a good start after the Raiders won in New England. In his Raiders debut, Smith completed 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Smith set a franchise record in passing yards, surpassing Dan Pastorini's 317 in 1980. Another new addition to Las Vegas was running back Ashton Jeanty. The No. 6 overall pick led the team with 19 carries, 38 rushing yards and contributed a score in the road win. Jeanty, who didn't have a flashy stat line, was the first Raiders RB with a rush TD in his NFL debut since Josh Jacobs in 2019. It's only one game out of 17, but Jeanty showcased his ability to break tackles and be a true workhorse RB1. However, Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (five catches for 103 yards) did suffer a knee injury and did not return. Despite participating in only Saturday's practice, the All-Pro TE is listed as questionable for Week 2. Bowers said over the weekend he was hopeful to play in Monday's game, but if he can't go, Michael Mayer would see a bigger role. Mayer, a 2023 second-round pick, recorded four catches and 38 yards in Bowers' short absence in Week 1.
Chargers' Week 2 injury report
Raiders' Week 2 injury report