Bucky Brooks' Scouting Report: Week 2 vs. Chargers

Sep 14, 2025 at 09:20 AM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

Who is the Guy?

Justin Herbert has been celebrated as a fringe top-five quarterback for years, but his impressive performance in the season opener has the football world touting the Pro Bowler as an MVP candidate. As a super-sized gunslinger with outstanding arm talent and athleticism, Herbert puts immense pressure on the defense on scripted and impromptu plays. With a talented collection of pass catchers (Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston) and a stable of physical runners (Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris) operating within a run-heavy offense, Herbert can impact the team inside or outside the pocket.

Know His Name

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has found a way to unlock Derwin James Jr. as the designated game wrecker on the second level. The three-time All-Pro is a hybrid linebacker/safety with the size, athleticism and instincts to play near the line of scrimmage to maximize his impact as a pass rusher (blitzes) or in the deep middle to take away the deep ball. Considering Minter also assigns James to match up with elite tight ends, the Raiders need to pay close attention to his whereabouts on every down.

Don't Sleep On…

Daiyan Henley has earned a special column on Minter's call sheet as a disruptive force at linebacker. The third-year pro is a "hit, run and cover" defender with the potential to create chaos on blitzes or instinctive "run throughs" that routinely put No. 0 in a position to produce big plays in pivotal moments. As a key piece to the Chargers' defensive puzzle, Henley should be viewed as the straw that stirs the drink for one of the league's top defenses.

Under Pressure

Trey Pipkins moves to right tackle as part of a reshuffled starting lineup that is adjusting to the season-ending loss of Rashawn Slater. Though the seventh-year pro has 57 starts on his resume, the drop off from Pro Bowl-caliber starter to utility player could prompt Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to utilize a variety of stunts, games and blitzes to create big play opportunities for Maxx Crosby on the edges.

Matchup to Watch

Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston vs. Raiders' secondary

The Chargers' running game will command significant attention, but an extremely talented group of pass catchers could create matchup problems with a pair of route runners (Allen and McConkey) and a speedster (Johnston) overwhelming opponents with their individual and collective talents. With Herbert hunting big plays off play-action, the Raiders must win their one-on-ones on the perimeter to get a win.

Offensive Scheme

Do not be fooled by the Chargers' impressive passing game stats; Jim Harbaugh's squad wants to pummel opponents with a smash-mouth rushing attack that tests the courage, discipline and physicality of their opponents. As offensive coordinator Greg Roman builds his game plan to alleviate some of the burden on Herbert, while putting the Chargers in a position to control the game, the Raiders should expect a heavy dose of Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris to set the tone for a team that prefers an old-school approach.

Defensive Scheme

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter quickly whipped the Chargers defense into shape with a simple but effective game plan that features a mix of simulated pressures and calculated blitzes to disrupt the offense's rhythm. He complements the illusions with various soft coverages that eliminate the deep ball and force quarterbacks to settle for "dink-and-dunk" throws and checkdowns. If the Raiders are unable to establish a credible running game against the Chargers, Minter's creative tactics could pay off in a few game-changing turnovers on Monday night.