The Chargers opened the season Sunday with a 24-19 victory over Las Vegas at SoFi Stadium.
Justin Herbert and Khalil Mack starred on a day when the Chargers by no means trailed and produced the sport’s solely three turnovers.
Right here’s what else stood out:
New Chargers contribute
Herbert’s landing passes went to newcomers Zander Horvath, DeAndre Carter and Gerald Everett. Horvath was a seventh-round decide in April, and Carter and Everett have been each free-agent signings.
Herbert threw to Horvath within the left flat for a one-yard rating early within the second quarter. The rookie fullback would have been an unlikely pregame decide to be on the opposite finish of Herbert’s first scoring go of the season.
“I’m certain lots of people weren’t anticipating that,” Horvath stated. “Nice play name. I simply executed, in there doing my factor, doing what I’m purported to do.”
The Everett landing was far more eye-popping. After a play-action faux, Herbert rolled to his left as two Raiders defenders closed. With out stopping, he fired the ball at Everett’s again shoulder.
The veteran tight finish made the catch simply contained in the five-yard line after which pressured his manner by Las Vegas security Roderic Teamer, who's a former Charger, and into the tip zone.
“It was a easy play actually,” Everett stated. “That was all Justin. I used to be simply attempting to be there for the man. … The scramble, protecting his eyes downfield, the ball placement, him going by his reads. I appeared up and the ball was within the air.”
Carter crammed Allen’s footwear
Carter completed the sport with three catches for 64 yards, his landing approaching a 23-yard completion within the closing minute of the primary half.
He emerged after Keenan Allen was misplaced to a hamstring damage late within the second quarter.
“As quickly as I went out, ’Dre got here in making performs,” Allen stated. “That’s what you wish to see whenever you exit. The offense didn’t stall in any respect. They stored issues going. They stored issues shifting.”
Carter signed within the offseason to be the Chargers’ major return man, one thing he wasn’t capable of present Sunday. He honest caught one punt and didn't have a kickoff return.
Defensive reunion a giant assist
The Chargers rebuilt their protection within the offseason by including a number of gamers who've had success taking part in for coach Brandon Staley previously, together with Mack, slot cornerback Bryce Callahan and defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day and Morgan Fox.
A yr in the past, the protection struggled due to an absence of familiarity with Staley’s scheme and the shortcoming of some gamers to suit correctly into the scheme. As accidents mounted, the Chargers’ lack of depth was uncovered.
“That’s what our imaginative and prescient was, was to construct an entire defensive soccer group,” Staley stated Sunday. “I feel that’s what you noticed on the market immediately, was an entire defensive soccer group. There’s nonetheless plenty of work to do.”
Requested particularly concerning the efficiency of the brand new additions, Staley stated he noticed precisely what he thought he’d see. Together with Mack’s three sacks, Callahan had 5 tackles and an interception, and Fox cut up a sack with Joey Bosa.
“I’ve seen these guys do all that,” Staley stated. “So for me, it wasn’t something new. I advised the group that. These guys performed how they at all times play, how I’ve at all times seen them play. … I’m simply glad all people obtained to see it immediately.”
Bryce Callahan was nice in slot
Alongside together with his interception, Callahan was instrumental in limiting Las Vegas receiver Hunter Renfrow. A 2021 Professional Bowl participant, Renfrow wasn’t even focused till late within the third quarter.
He completed with three catches for 21 yards. When these groups met in Week 18 final season, Renfrow had a pair of receiving touchdowns.
“Bryce Callahan is likely one of the high inside defenders within the league, and he has been since 2015,” Staley stated. “You guys are all seeing why we introduced him right here and why we have now a lot religion and confidence in him.
“He’s a prime-time participant, and he can do plenty of issues on the market that allow you to win video games. I’m actually happy with him. I do know that taking the sector with him, it’s an incredible feeling as a coach.”
Samuel had affect
Asante Samuel Jr. had a couple of tough stretches as Davante Adams caught 10 passes for 141 yards in his Las Vegas debut. Nevertheless, the second-year nook completed with 4 tackles and two passes knocked away. He additionally had his third profession interception.
Early within the fourth quarter, Derek Carr tried to go deep to Adams. Samuel got here off the person he was protecting when Carr dedicated and tracked down the ball, selecting it off contained in the Chargers’ five-yard line.
“That interception is about pretty much as good as you’re going to see within the NFL,” Staley stated. “He’s able to that. He’s taking part in with confidence. He’s fearless. He obtained beat a few occasions on the market immediately, nevertheless it doesn’t hassle him, which I like.”
Samuel additionally had a quick tussle with Adams after one play.
“I like that,” teammate Derwin James Jr. stated. “That’s a part of soccer. He’s positively obtained it in him. I prefer it.”
Derwin James can sack
James had the primary of the Chargers’ six sacks, dropping Carr on the Raiders’ second offensive play.
He went round left sort out Kolton Miller, who was battling Mack on the time, after which over working again Josh Jacobs earlier than climbing onto Carr and bringing him down.
“Go watch that on movie as a result of that man is particular,” linebacker Drue Tranquill stated of James. “He’s simply an unbelievable participant. Deserves all the pieces he simply obtained in that contract and extra.”
Final month, James signed an extension that added 4 years and $76 million — $42 million in complete ensures — to his rookie deal.
Punter JK Scott impressed
Punter JK Scott had a formidable debut for the Chargers, too, his first try being downed on the Las Vegas two-yard line.
Scott averaged 49 yards on 4 punts. Renfrow returned two of these punts for less than 4 yards complete and had one honest catch.
“The operation,” Staley stated, “was actually crucial to our success.”
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