Justin Herbert and his Chargers put on an impressive show in the first period, leading 21-0. They eventually won the game against the Raiders on Monday Night Football. (1:20).
INGLEWOOD (Calif.) -- The Los Angeles Chargers are in contention for the AFC West championship. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC champions in their division, and beat them 28-14 at SoFi Stadium on Monday.
It was possible, as the Chargers (3-1), who had a 21-0 lead at halftime, held off the Raiders (3-1) in the second half.
The Chargers nearly learned a lesson in the wrong way: Don't rely on your defense no matter how good it plays, and don't underestimate the Raiders in second half.
The Raiders scored 14 first quarter points and moved into Chargers territory. However, they missed a 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Chargers proved their potential for championship success at that point.
Justin Herbert, the Chargers' quarterback, was able to drive his team 58 yard on 10 plays. Austin Ekeler ran 11 yards for the game-clinching touchdown with 5:20 remaining. Herbert was 25-of-38 and threw three touchdown passes in the first half, for 222 yards.
All season long, follow the NFL
Full schedule | Standings
Each team should have depth charts
Injuries
Football Power Index rankings
Additional NFL coverage
The Chargers won the first half with their defense. They allowed the Raiders 51 yards offense. You had to be there to see them come back. The Raiders are like that. They lost to Baltimore and Miami by 14-0, but came back to win them both.
With 3:14 remaining, Derek Carr was the quarterback. This was made possible by a Joey Bosa unsportsmanlike conduct penal. The Chargers won another major win when safety Derwin James intercepted the pass and secured another huge win.
It was a crucial play in the game. The Chargers faced fourth-and-2 at 50, holding a 7 point lead with 9:24 remaining. They decided to try it. Herbert launched a 13 yard pass to Jared Cook who leapt over Denzel Perryman to bring it in. Cook's play led to Ekeler's game sealing touchdown, which stopped the Raiders from trying to comeback.
Key stats: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Mike Williams were tried by the Raiders to limit them. However, the Chargers' tight ends stood tall in their place. Cook had six receptions of 70 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Donald Parham Jr. scored the Chargers first score. Stephen Anderson received a big reception for 34 yards, which helped to set up another score in the second half.
