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By the Numbers: Highlighting key stats from Week 1

The Raiders opened the 2024 season with a 22-10 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Silver and Black are now 31-23 in season openers and 68-59-2 against the Chargers. Here are some key takeaways and metrics from Sunday's game.

Limiting the Chargers Offense

The Raiders defense played a dominant first half, allowing just 83 yards of offense on 23 plays, two first downs and zero third-down conversions (0-7). The Chargers finished just 4-of-15 on third down.

The 83 yards are the fewest allowed in a first half by the Raiders since 2019 (75 yards vs. Jacksonville; 12/15/19).

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert totaled the second-fewest passing yards in the first half of a game in his career (61 yards). His two passing first downs were a career-low in the first half of a game.

Linebacker Robert Spillane led the defense with 10 total tackles (seven solo) and added one tackle for loss in the game.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby added five total tackles (two solo), 1.0 sack, one tackle for loss, four and three quarterback hits. Crosby is now tied with Bill Pickel (53.0) for the fourth most sacks in Raiders history. Crosby also logged his eighth consecutive game with at least one tackle for loss, extending the longest active streak in the NFL.

Minshew's First Start

Gardner Minshew II completed 25-of-33 (75.8%) passes for 257 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 95.1 passer rating. His 25 completions are second most in a Raiders debut and his 257 yards are fourth most in a Raiders debut.

Minshew is one of eight quarterbacks to pass for 250+ yards in Week 1 (not including Monday Night Football's results).

Bowers Impresses in NFL Debut

Tight end Brock Bowers played 41 of the team's 60 total offensive snaps and finished with 58 receiving yards on a game-high six receptions.

His six receptions are the most by a Raiders tight end in their NFL debut and tied for the second most in NFL history by a tight end in their NFL debut, behind Keith McKeller (nine receptions on Oct. 18, 1987).

Bowers' 58 receiving yards are also second most in Raiders history by a tight end in their NFL debut, behind Raymond Chester (89 yards in Week 1 of 1970).

Here's how Bowers' Week 1 numbers stack up at his position across the league (before Monday Night Football):

  • Third-most targets (eight), second-most receptions (six) and second-most receiving yards (58) among NFL tight ends.
  • One of three tight ends to account for 3+ receiving first downs.
  • One of five tight ends to record a catch of 25+ yards.

Mattison Brings Versatility to Backfield

Running back Alexander Mattison scored the team's lone touchdown on Sunday in his Raiders debut. Mattison rushed five times for 19 yards (3.8 avg.) and caught four passes for 43 yards and one touchdown.

Mattison's 43 receiving yards are his fifth most in a game while his 31-yard catch-and-run score in the first quarter was the longest touchdown in his six-year career.

Mattison became the second running back to have a 30+ yard TD catch in his Raiders debut, joining Jack Larscheid in the Raiders' first-ever game as a franchise (46 yards on September 11, 1960).

After the conclusion of Sunday's games, Mattison is one of 12 NFL running backs that recorded 4+ receptions in Week 1 and one of seven running backs that finished with 40+ receiving yards.

Minimizing Mistakes

Coaches constantly preach the importance of playing clean football and Head Coach Antonio Pierce is no different.

"You can't have three turnovers on the road and expect to win," Pierce said postgame.

It's not "coach speak." Pierce is right.

Since 2000, the Raiders are 8-85 (.086) in regular season road games when they lose the turnover battle and 0-14 when they finish with a turnover margin of -3. When they win the turnover battle or finish with an even margin in regular season road games, their winning percentage jumps up to .584 at 59-42.

One positive from Sunday's game was the lack of penalties. The Raiders finished last season with 75 penalties committed, the fewest in the NFL, and had a clean start to the 2024 season versus the Chargers. The Silver and Black's two penalties committed are tied for the fewest of any team after the completion of Sunday's games.

View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

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