The Chargers head into Sunday’s meeting with the Raiders carrying plenty of week-one baggage, and the biggest question is whether they can clean it up fast enough.
Los Angeles is back home on September 20 for an early AFC West test against Las Vegas, and the mood around the team changed quickly after the rough loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Jim Harbaugh didn’t hide his frustration, publicly saying he regretted how the preseason was handled and calling the opener full of preseason-type mistakes.
That’s the backdrop for a game that already feels important for the Chargers’ offense, especially if Ladd McConkey can’t play. McConkey left week one after taking a heavy hit over the middle and immediately grabbing at his ribs, and the offense never looked the same after he exited. The Chargers were sharp and explosive for those first few drives with him on the field, then the whole thing stalled.
Omarion Hampton was one of the brighter spots early. He ran well and punched in an impressive touchdown from the eight-yard line, but a costly fumble appeared to shake his confidence. If McConkey is limited or out, the pressure shifts somewhere else fast, and Hampton’s role becomes even bigger.
That likely means a heavy dose of the run game. The Chargers can use Hampton to set the tone, then try to build play-action off it.
That matters against a Raiders linebacker group that plays aggressively but is not known for coverage. It also opens the door for shots downfield, with rookie free safety Treydan Stukes a name to test if Quentin Johnston or Brenen Thompson gets loose deep.
The tight ends should also be in the mix. A heavier dose of 22 personnel - two tight ends on the field - could be part of the plan if the Chargers want to keep the Raiders guessing and stay balanced.
Special teams is another area that has to get fixed in a hurry. Las Vegas had one of the best kick return units in the league in week one, while the Chargers were among the worst. Los Angeles had trouble sustaining blocks and allowed free rushers to get through and make life easy for returners.
Ryan Ficken addressed that at Thursday’s press conference, saying the staff needs to get players in the best matchups and best positions on the return unit after several players missed blocks on multiple returns. The numbers from the Cardinals game told the story: the Chargers’ average starting field position after kick returns was only the 20-yard line, which left the offense 15 yards behind on every return.
And then there’s the defense, which has its own set of problems to solve. Against the Cardinals, Los Angeles gave up far too many first downs to Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona offense. The concern this week is how the unit handles a quarterback like Kirk Cousins, who can work underneath zone coverage and take what’s available.
Cousins no longer has the same arm strength he once did, but he still has the experience and football IQ to fit throws into tight windows. The big defensive question is whether Chris O'Leary will tighten things up, bring bodies closer to the line, and help slow down Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders’ run game.
After the way week one unfolded, the Chargers don’t just need a better performance. They need answers.
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