The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 0-2 on the season after a 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, marking their second consecutive defeat by the same score. The defeat follows a 26-14 opening-week loss to the Arizona Cardinals, leaving the Chargers with the league’s worst offensive output through two games.
Herbert struggles in second straight loss
Justin Herbert completed 56% of his passes for 192 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the loss to Las Vegas. His performance marked a decline from Week 1, when he threw for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception with a 63% completion rate. The Chargers’ offense managed just 14 points in each of their first two games, the lowest total in the NFL through Week 2.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the team’s shortcomings after the game. “We’re losing in the margins, that’s what we have to get fixed,” he said. “We just have to be better. That’s not good enough.” Herbert echoed the sentiment, stating, “When you look at the sloppiness, it’s not good.”
Chargers’ offense stalls in multiple phases
The Chargers’ offensive woes extended beyond Herbert’s play. The team managed only 192 total yards of offense, with Herbert accounting for 192 passing yards and 0 rushing yards. The ground game contributed just 1 yard on three carries. Los Angeles also committed three turnovers, including a fumble by running back Omarion Hampton and an interception by Herbert.
Penalties and drops further hindered the offense. The Chargers were penalized three times for 25 yards, while multiple receivers dropped key passes. Offensive line play was also cited as a concern, with Herbert sacked twice and pressured consistently throughout the game.
Raiders capitalize on Chargers’ mistakes
The Raiders, who entered the game with a 0-2 record of their own, took advantage of Los Angeles’ miscues. Las Vegas scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a 98-yard touchdown run by Zamir White, to seal the victory. The Chargers managed just 2 points in the final quarter, failing to respond to the Raiders’ surge.
Coaching staff addresses systemic issues
Harbaugh emphasized the need for improvement across multiple areas. “We got outplayed up front,” he said. “We couldn’t run the ball well and that forced us into a lot of passing situations.” The Chargers’ offensive line, which allowed six sacks in Week 1 and two more in Week 2, remains a focal point for adjustments.
The team’s next challenge comes Sunday against the 2-0 Buffalo Bills, who have scored 77 combined points in their first two games. The Chargers will then face the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Los Angeles Rams in their next four contests, all teams led by Super Bowl-winning coaches.
Looking ahead
The Chargers’ 0-2 start marks their worst start since the 2023 season, when they finished 5-12. With a challenging schedule looming, the team’s ability to address its offensive deficiencies will be critical to avoiding a repeat of last year’s struggles.