These new Chargers now paying out dividends: Takeaways from victory more than Raiders

The Chargers opened the season Sunday with a 24-19 victory over Las Vegas at SoFi Stadium.

Justin Herbert and Khalil Mack starred on a working day when the Chargers never trailed and manufactured the game’s only three turnovers.

Here’s what else stood out:

New Chargers add

Herbert’s touchdown passes went to newcomers Zander Horvath, DeAndre Carter and Gerald Everett. Horvath was a seventh-round pick in April, and Carter and Everett ended up both free-agent signings.

Herbert threw to Horvath in the left flat for a 1-garden rating early in the 2nd quarter. The rookie fullback would have been an unlikely pregame pick to be on the other end of Herbert’s first scoring move of the period.

“I’m guaranteed a large amount of persons weren’t expecting that,” Horvath stated. “Great play call. I just executed, in there undertaking my point, doing what I’m supposed to do.”

The Everett landing was significantly far more eye-popping. Immediately after a play-action faux, Herbert rolled to his left as two Raiders defenders shut. Devoid of halting, he fired the ball at Everett’s back again shoulder.

The veteran limited end manufactured the capture just inside of the 5-property line and then forced his way by way of Las Vegas basic safety Roderic Teamer, who is a former Charger, and into the conclude zone.

“It was a straightforward play really,” Everett reported. “That was all Justin. I was just trying to be there for the man. … The scramble, maintaining his eyes downfield, the ball placement, him heading through his reads. I looked up and the ball was in the air.”

Carter filled Allen’s shoes

Carter concluded the match with three catches for 64 yards, his touchdown coming on a 23-yard completion in the last moment of the initial half.

He emerged soon after Keenan Allen was missing to a hamstring damage late in the next quarter.

“As shortly as I went out, ’Dre came in building plays,” Allen reported. “That’s what you like to see when you go out. The offense didn’t stall at all. They stored factors heading. They kept matters transferring.”

Carter signed in the offseason to be the Chargers’ major return person, something he was not capable to clearly show Sunday. He fair caught a person punt and did not have a kickoff return.

Defensive reunion a massive assistance

The Chargers rebuilt their protection in the offseason by incorporating several players who have had achievement playing for mentor Brandon Staley in the past, which include Mack, slot cornerback Bryce Callahan and defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day and Morgan Fox.

A year ago, the defense struggled mainly because of a absence of familiarity with Staley’s scheme and the inability of some players to in good shape properly into the plan. As accidents mounted, the Chargers’ deficiency of depth was exposed.

“That’s what our eyesight was, was to establish a total defensive soccer crew,” Staley reported Sunday. “I imagine that’s what you noticed out there right now, was a full defensive soccer crew. There’s however a whole lot of operate to do.”

Requested specifically about the effectiveness of the new additions, Staley claimed he noticed exactly what he imagined he’d see. Along with Mack’s a few sacks, Callahan experienced 5 tackles and an interception, and Fox break up a sack with Joey Bosa.

“I’ve seen these guys do all that,” Staley said. “So for me, it wasn’t something new. I explained to the staff that. Those men played how they usually play, how I’ve usually seen them perform. … I’m just glad most people received to see it currently.”

Bryce Callahan was excellent in slot

Along with his interception, Callahan was instrumental in restricting Las Vegas receiver Hunter Renfrow. A 2021 Pro Bowl participant, Renfrow was not even focused till late in the 3rd quarter.

Chargers cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (23) and Asante Samuel Jr. (26) combine to tackle Raiders receiver Mack Hollins.

(Robert Gauthier / VFAB)

He concluded with a few catches for 21 yards. When these groups achieved in 7 days 18 past time, Renfrow had a pair of obtaining touchdowns.

“Bryce Callahan is a single of the best inside of defenders in the league, and he has been due to the fact 2015,” Staley mentioned. “You guys are all seeing why we brought him listed here and why we have so substantially religion and self esteem in him.

“He’s a key-time participant, and he can do a ton of things out there that aid you win online games. I’m truly very pleased of him. I know that using the subject with him, it is a fantastic feeling as a coach.”

Samuel experienced affect

Asante Samuel Jr. had a number of rough stretches as Davante Adams caught 10 passes for 141 yards in his Las Vegas debut. Nonetheless, the second-year corner completed with 4 tackles and two passes knocked absent. He also had his 3rd profession interception.

Early in the fourth quarter, Derek Carr tried using to go deep to Adams. Samuel arrived off the man he was covering when Carr fully commited and tracked down the ball, buying it off inside the Chargers’ five-lawn line.

“That interception is about as fantastic as you’re heading to see in the NFL,” Staley explained. “He’s able of that. He’s enjoying with self confidence. He’s fearless. He got defeat a few of periods out there today, but it doesn’t hassle him, which I love.”

Samuel also experienced a temporary tussle with Adams soon after one particular enjoy.

“I like that,” teammate Derwin James Jr. explained. “That’s component of soccer. He’s surely got it in him. I like it.”

Derwin James can sack

James experienced the very first of the Chargers’ 6 sacks, dropping Carr on the Raiders’ second offensive perform.

He went around left deal with Kolton Miller, who was battling Mack at the time, and then around functioning back again Josh Jacobs in advance of climbing onto Carr and bringing him down.

“Go view that on film for the reason that that gentleman is distinctive,” linebacker Drue Tranquill mentioned of James. “He’s just an unbelievable participant. Deserves anything he just got in that agreement and additional.”

Very last thirty day period, James signed an extension that included four a long time and $76 million — $42 million in complete guarantees — to his rookie offer.

Punter JK Scott impressed

Punter JK Scott had an amazing debut for the Chargers, also, his 1st attempt currently being downed at the Las Vegas two-garden line.

Scott averaged 49 yards on four punts. Renfrow returned two of these punts for only four yards overall and had just one reasonable capture.

“The operation,” Staley claimed, “was genuinely critical to our results.”