INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Chargers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 24-19 in their season-opening game Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Herbert completed 26 of 34 passes for 279 yards as the Chargers delivered a payback of sorts to their AFC West rivals.
The Raiders defeated the Chargers in overtime in last season’s final regular-season game to knock them out of the playoffs. The NFL schedule-makers matched the teams for the 2022 opener, a showcase game on the opening Sunday of the new season.
The Chargers’ upgraded defense was on display during an opening half in which they held the Raiders to only a field goal on their opening drive en route to a 17-3 lead. Khalil Mack, the centerpiece of their offseason moves, sacked Las Vegas quarterback Derek Carr twice in the first half.