Week 1 Afc West Roundup, Chargers Suffer Major Upset

The Las Vegas Raiders took care of business in Week 1 and are technically in sole possession of first place in the AFC West right now. The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs play tonight on Monday Night Football, while the Los Angeles Chargers suffered a major upset, leading us into this week’s AFC West roundup.

Chargers vs. Cardinals

Score: 26-14, LAC loses

Key Stats:

• QB Justin Herbert: 17/27 (63.0%), 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 rushes, 29 yards
• RB Omarion Hampton: 12 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
• WR Ladd McConkey: 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
• S Derwin James Jr.: 10 tackles, 1 PD
• LB Daiyan Henley: 8 tackles, 0.5 sack

Los Angeles entered this game as 8.5-point favorites and ended up losing by double digits. It was a game filled with mistakes from Jim Harbaugh’s crew, with a couple of turnovers (a fumble by Hampton in addition to the Herbert interception noted above) and a blocked punt that led to a two-possession fourth-quarter lead for Arizona. The Cardinals even had a missed field goal and 111 yards in penalties, and still managed to pull off the major upset.

Defensively, Los Angeles had no answer for Arizona’s passing game. Quarterback Jacob Brissett went 27-for-37 and put up 277 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, while tight end Trey McBride accounted for nine catches, 95 yards and a score. That sets up a big Week 2 matchup between the Raiders and Chargers, as the Silver and Black can really push one of their rivals down the division standings with a win.

AFC West Standings

1. Las Vegas 1-0 (+14)
2. Denver 0-0*
3. Kansas City 0-0*
4. Los Angeles 0-1 (-12)

*The Broncos and Chiefs play on Monday Night

In Other Raiders’ Links:

• Optimism for Bowers’ return: “The Las Vegas Raiders believe there is a realistic chance that tight end Brock Bowers will miss only one game because of his knee injury and return for their Week 2 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter…The Raiders will see how Bowers is feeling this upcoming week, but a potential return Sept. 20 against the Chargers in Los Angeles is possible”
• Vegas opens as underdogs: “The Raiders are 7-point underdogs against the Los Angeles Chargers with an over/under (O/U) of 44.5,” S&BP’sMarcus Johnson wrote. “The Silver and Black have not had much success in Los Angeles recently but are hoping to change their fortunes and pull off an upset.”
• Maxx Crosby shutdown trade to Rams: “Sources told NFL Network that Los Angeles pursued Crosby shortly after his trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens fell through because of a failed physical,” Ian Rapoport wrote. “…But before there could be anything official, Crosby let it be known to anyone interested that he did not want to be traded. He wanted to remain with the Raiders and let his own organization know as well.”
• Klint Kubiak era begins with win: “Yes, the Miami Dolphins aren’t good and yes, Week 1 can be a misnomer and perhaps the Raiders won’t be true contenders this season,” via S&BP’s Bill Williamson. “But they certainly look like an improved roster and have better coaching as they began the Klint Kubiak era with a complete team victory over the Dolphins in a 27-13 home win.”