Grounded: Bolts Silence Raiders, 28-14

Entering the game with a truckload of confidence, the Las Vegas Raiders found themselves in a familiar hole. Unfortunately, the Chargers’ defense proved too much to handling, dispatching the Raiders 281-14. With the loss, the Raiders incur their first loss of the 2021 season, falling to 3-1. More importantly, this loss shines a bright light upon what the team must immediately correct, in order to win games.

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One Game Reversion?

While one game should not indicate a regression, last night’s version of Derek Carr opened eyes. First, under any semblance of a rush, Carr froze and looked rattled with a defender anywhere near him. Next, he fell back into the habit of throwing short of the sticks on third down. Placing the onus of responsibility on the receiver? Does he really think Hunter Renfrow can shed multiple tackles on his way to converting the first down? Basically, Carr played like the pre-2021 version: tentative, shaken, and lacking confidence. Los Angeles lived in the backfield all evening.

Line Failure

With Derek Carr dropping back, seeing the Chargers approach rapidly, look no further than the offensive line’s complete failure. Los Angeles dominated the line of scrimmage, sacking Carr four times. On top of that, allowing forty-eight yards on eighteen carries signifies complete domination. Rookie Alex Leatherwood looked lost. The Chargers feasted on the rookie and the interior. If the Raiders possess any hope, the offensive line needs to rapidly improve.

Line of Scrimmage Issue

Granted, the offensive line failed for the Raiders, the defensive line didn’t fare much better. With the exception of Darius Philon, the Chargers won the game in the trenches, on both sides. The Chargers gained 168 yards on the ground and the Raiders offered little resistance Concomitantly, Los Angeles thrived in the passing game, without much of a Raiders rush. By mustering only two sacks, both by Philon, the Raiders could not get home. The much-questioned Storm Norton acquitted himself well of himself in blocking Maxx Crosby.

Upsides

With injuries to Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette, the Raiders needed to lean on Amik Robertson. To his credit, in concert with Casey Hayward, the cornerbacks held Allen and Williams to eight catches for 48 yards. Additionally, Darius Philon, as mentioned, tallied the only two sacks of the evening. Already, Philon exceeded expectations. Coaches will look to him for continued pressure.

Meaning

The Raiders looked tentative on offense and overwhelmed on defense. The Chargers outcoached and outplayed the Raiders in every single aspect of the game. The fault lies with the coaches and players. No one should leave this game without the knowledge that comeback victories are more anomaly than the trusted outcomes.