An anticipated primetime showdown awaits the Las Vegas Raiders this Monday.
Fresh off a Week 1 win against the New England Patriots, the Silver and Black head into their first divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Like the Raiders, the Chargers are also riding the momentum of a season-opening victory – theirs against the defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Considering both teams nearly racked up 400 total offensive yards on their opponents, it should make for a competitive contest inside Allegiant Stadium.
Here's a look into some offensive matchups for Monday night.
Geno Smith vs. Justin Herbert
With the exception of reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, no one threw for more passing yards in Week 1 than Geno Smith or Justin Herbert.
Smith took it upon himself to lead the Raiders to victory through the air despite heavy rain and lack of a running game going against him. He completed over 70 percent of his passes for 362 yards, the most in a Raiders quarterback's debut. Despite being sacked four times, he stood tall in the pocket – going 9-of-13 for 189 yds and a touchdown while being blitzed.
"I think we got some of the best guys in the league," Smith said Thursday, praising his offense. "I mean, as long as I make the right decisions and spread the ball around and set my feet and get the ball out, those guys will make plays as we've seen. So it gives me great confidence knowing that those guys can do that, and I put the pressure on myself to make sure I'm out there making the right reads and the right throws and getting the ball in their hands."
After years of great quarterback showdowns in the NFC West, he'll have his first in the AFC West against Herbert. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback, who had a 23:3 touchdown to interception ratio in 2024, played lights out his season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Like Smith, Herbert racked up over 300 passing yards while completing at least 70 percent of his passes. He also added 32 yards on the ground.
"They give him the opportunity in a lot of situations to not just throw the football, but to do his RPOs and get out of the pocket and take off scrambling," Pete Carroll said of Herbert. "There was a play late in the game when they had a chance to ice it in a four-minute situation, and he takes off. It's like a third-and-13 or something like that. He takes off and makes like 20, and it looked like they knew exactly what they were trying to do. It was a drop back pass, but he took off."
"And, I mean, he's got great skills to really make it difficult on the defense," he added. "A normal play can be played defended, rushed well and all that. And then something else happens, whether he's scrambling to throw it or scramble to run it, and that factor is the most difficult factor in football to control. That's why they've been successful, and they have a great chance to continue that."
Something to also take note of is the amount of sacks both of these quarterback took in Week 1. Smith was sacked four times while Herbert was sacked thrice. Therefore, it's fair to assume that offensive line play will equally be a factor in which one of these two quarterbacks wins this battle.
Ashton Jeanty vs. Omarion Hampton
The Raiders and Chargers both used their first-round picks on running backs, the only two teams to do so in the 2025 NFL Draft.
High expectations follow both rookies, as the Raiders statistically had the least productive rushing attack in the league last season and the Chargers were tied for the 11th most rushing attempts. Both were named starters heading into the regular seasons, but growing pains have become apparent early.
While Ashton Jeanty did hit paydirt for his first career touchdown, he averaged only two yards on 19 carries against the New England Patriots. As for Omarion Hampton, he averaged 3.2 yards on 15 carries against the Chiefs.
"Ashton, he was hyped," Carroll said. "He was jacked up, and he would tell you, I would think, that he wished he would have been a little more patient on some reads and things like that that will come. He didn't look like that in preseason. This game, being out there and being called on to play and carried the ball 19 times or whatever. It was a little bit different for him, and he'll play way better. He'll see things more clearly. And I know he's real frustrated by that."
Jeanty admitted he didn't play up to his full potential in the season opener, but there will be opportunities for improvement. While chemistry grows across the offensive line, that will also help the running back. The same can be said for Omarion Hampton on the opposite sideline, still making adjustments in Greg Roman's offense.
Brock Bowers vs. Derwin James
A disclaimer: The jury is still out on if Brock Bowers will be able to play Monday after suffering a knee injury against the Patriots that kept him out of practice Thursday afternoon. Fortunately for the Raiders, they have an extra day to monitor his status for the primetime game.
"We'll see what happens," Carroll said of both Bower and linebacker Elandon Roberts' game status. "They've got to practice through the week and make it through it, but just in the walk throughs and already, they look fine."
Obviously if Bowers suits up, he'll have a big role in the Raiders gameplan. He totaled 103 yards on five catches against the Patriots, averaging a whooping 20.6 yards per reception. He also accumulated 55 yards after the catch and 4.9 yards per route in Week 1, both of which led all tight ends (min. 10 routes), according to Next Gen Stats.
"Brock is an elite weapon, we've seen it now a few times," Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. "Your hands are full when he's out there. He's a receiver, he's a tight end, he's an electric athlete. Yards after the catch, catch and run, he can do all that."
Considering the threat the All-Pro tight end poses, many defenses have been deploying cornerbacks to cover him – hence Carlton Davis III and Alex Austin shadowing him throughout the season opener. The Chargers have a dynamic safety in Derwin James, who can not only bring the boom downhill in run defense but is an asset in coverage as well. In 2024, James limited tight ends to 3.5 yards per target and 2.3 YAC per reception as the nearest defender in coverage, both the second-fewest by any defender (min. 15 targets) against tight ends.
"He's a special athlete, a special player," Bowers said of the Chargers safety. "I mean, you can see that every time he plays. So, I'm excited for the opportunity, like last year, just going up against him. It should be a good matchup."
In his two games against the Chargers last season, Bowers totaled 10 receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.
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Take a look inside Intermountain Health Performance Center to view the best photos from Thursday's practice as the Raiders prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
A Las Vegas Raiders pad on the field during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Las Vegas Raiders' helmet and pads in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the weight room walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Brian Asamoah II (53) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Stone Forsythe (70) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jeff Driskel (17) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Las Vegas Raiders' helmet on the field during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders run game coordinator/offensive line coach Brennan Carroll and center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) in the weight room walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) walks out to the field for practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough and linebackers coach John Glenn during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Brennan Jackson (54) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Terrell Edmunds (28) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jeff Driskel (17) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (35) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and running backs coach Deland McCullough during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (86) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) and wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Brian Asamoah II (53) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
