Raiders outlast Chargers 38–31 in a Vegas shootout

Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas outlasted Los Angeles 38-31 in a high-octane Week 2 clash. Geno Smith was razor sharp (29/35, 319 yards, 4 TDs) and got heavy help from rookie back Ashton Jeanty (183 rushing yards, 2 total TDs) and wideout Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10/153/2). "We kept our foot down and trusted the plan," Smith said. "When the run game hits like that, everything opens up."

Game Racap

Jeanty set the tone early with a 58-yard rushing touchdown (7:41, Q1). The Chargers answered in the second when Justin Herbert found Keenan Allen from five yards out (7:33). Las Vegas responded with two Smith strikes-Jeanty for 14 yards (4:32) and Thornton Jr. for 14 (0:36)-before Cameron Dicker drilled a 30-yard field goal at :02 to close the half.

The teams traded haymakers in the third: Michael Mayer snagged a three-yard TD (4:55) and the Chargers immediately hit back with a 65-yard bomb to Quentin Johnston (4:48). Early in the fourth, Daniel Carlson extended the lead with a 20-yarder (7:49), but the Chargers climbed back on an eight-yard TD to Tyler Conklin (5:12).

The night's decisive moment followed: Smith uncorked a 65-yard go-ball to Thornton Jr. (2:27) to make it 38-24. Herbert's 11-yard TD to Johnston (1:34) tightened it, but Las Vegas' defense closed it out. "That deep shot is something we repped all week," Thornton said. "Geno put it where only I could get it."

Key Stats

• Total Offense: Raiders 499 yards (319 pass, 180 rush); Chargers 354 yards (351 pass, 3 rush).
• Third Down: Raiders 8/10 (80.0%); Chargers 3/8 (37.5%).
• Red Zone: Raiders 4 scores on 9 trips (3 TD, 1 FG); Chargers 4 scores on 5 trips (3 TD, 1 FG).
• Passing Leaders: Geno Smith 319 yards, 4 TD; Justin Herbert 366 yards, 4 TD.
• Playmakers: Ashton Jeanty 27-183-1 rush, receiving TD; Dont'e Thornton Jr. 10-153-2; Quentin Johnston 6-157-2; Tyler Conklin 7-111-1.
• Takeaways/Sacks: Raiders 3 sacks (Adam Butler, Maxx Crosby, Jonah Laulu), 1 INT (Eric Stokes). Chargers 2 INTs (Benjamin St-Juste, Elijah Molden).
• Penalties: Raiders 1 for 5 yards; Chargers 0.

"We needed complementary football," Raiders coach said afterward. "Eight of ten on third down and 180 rushing-that's our identity." Herbert countered: "We fought to the end, but we've got to run it better and finish drives."

Up Next

The Raiders travel to Washington, D.C., to face the Washington Commanders. The Chargers return to Los Angeles to host the Denver Broncos.