Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season closed with a primetime doubleheader on Monday night, starting with Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) beating C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans (0-2) on the road in a thrilling game inside NRG Stadium in Houston.
In Game 2, the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) walked away from Allegiant Stadium with a decisive road win over the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1), thanks to a solid effort from Justin Herbert and the defense.
Here are the highlights, with analysis from FOX Sports NFL reporters Greg Auman and Eric Williams!
Final: Chargers 20, Raiders 9
The Chargers earn a decisive win over the Raiders, improving to 2-0 and moving into first place alone in the AFC West. The Chargers have not won the division since 2009, and with Kansas City struggling at 0-2, perhaps 2025 is the year for the Bolts.
The defense carried the day for Los Angeles, as they intercepted Geno Smith three times and held the Raiders (1-1) to 219 total yards. The Chargers also finished with 15 (yes, 15) batted passes.
The Raiders run game also struggled with rookie RB Ashton Jeanty failing to break loose for a second straight game, finishing with just 43 rushing yards. To make matters worse for the Raiders, head coach Pete Carroll's tough loss in the 2025 home opener also happened to fall on his 74th birthday.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston had another strong performance for the Chargers, finishing with three receptions for 71 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, L.A. linebacker Daiyan Henley led the Bolts with 10 combined tackles, two pass break ups, an interception and a sack.
4th Quarter: 3:51: Chargers 20, Raiders 9
Both defenses stepped up down the stretch of a tight game at Allegiant Stadium, but neither offense found a way to capitalize on several key stops.
A botched handoff on fourth-and-1 between QB Justin Herbert and WR Derius Davis resulted in a turnover on downs and favorable field position for the Raiders at the 50 down 11 points with 8:14 left in regulation. Unfortunately for Las Vegas, however, the promising drive that followed ended six plays later with an interception in the endzone on a tipped QB Geno Smith pass to WR Jakobi Meyers in double coverage.
Shockingly, Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton fumbled on the very next play to again put the Raiders in a good spot to score with 3:51 to play. But, all Smith and Co. could muster was a four-play drive and a turnover on downs.
L.A. will now have its eyes on salting the game away with a few runs on the next series.
End of 3rd quarter: Chargers 20, Raiders 6
The Chargers took the opening drive and marched 72 yards on 12 plays, burning 7:30 off the clock. However, the Raiders kept them out of the end zone near the goal line, and the Bolts had to settle for another Cameron Dicker field goal, this one from 20 yards.
The Raiders got the ball back and kept it the rest of the third quarter, inching close to the red zone to start the second half. Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty has 43 yards on 11 carries, but has yet to break a big play.
Halftime - Chargers 17, Raiders 6
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith threw his second interception of the game trying to connect with WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. late in the first half. Instead, Bolts veteran defensive back Tony Jefferson came down with the football and the Chargers ran the clock out. Per Next Gen Stats, Smith has been pressured on 36.4% of his snaps.
Smith finished the first half 11-of-19 for 97 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked twice and posted a pedestrian 32.0 passer rating.
That’s not going to get it done for Las Vegas, and the Chargers could very well put the game away with their offense receiving the ball to start the second half.
2nd Quarter: 1:51: Chargers 17, Raiders 6; Khalil Mack Downgraded to Out
The Chargers capitalized on a Raiders punt with a five-play, 91-yard drive capped by a 60-yard Justin Herbert strike to wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
Herbert now has 126 passing yards and two touchdowns across five drives. L.A. remains in control of the contest with less than 1:30 to play in the first half.
A largely positive first two quarters for the Chargers didn't come without its pitfalls, however, as the team officially downgraded Khalil Mack to out during the drive.
2nd Quarter: 9:54: Chargers lead Raiders, 10-6; Khalil Mack leaves game with elbow injury
The Chargers lost their best pass rusher in Khalil Mack after the star pass pusher appeared to suffer an elbow injury late in the first quarter.
Mack went to the locker room for further evaluation and is questionable to return. Mack had a sack in 10 defensive snaps in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson converted his second field goal of the night to narrow the deficit to four.
The team followed with a punt each, with the Chargers offense now back on the field looking to build momentum with time dwindling in the first half.
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