The Raiders fall to the Chargers 22-10 on the road

      Las Vegas Raiders #15 Gardner Minshew II (QB) is being pursued by several Los Angeles Chargers defenders at SoFi Stadium. Photo by                                                                                                                      Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

INGLEWOOD CA, - Gardner Minshew, in his debut as the Las Vegas Raiders' new starting quarterback, completed 25 of his 33 passes for 257 yards, one touchdown, and one interception and one fumble, along with a costly fumble by Zamir White, came up short against the Los Angeles Chargers 22-10 on the road.

The Raiders' defense gave their offense plenty of chances to get back into the game for three quarters but gave up 135 yards to the Chargers' J.K. Dobbins, and a back-breaker run for 61 yards in the second half to go along with his touchdown was too much to overcome.

"The run game was poor. The passing game was off," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said following the loss. "Turnovers, you can't do it. You can't have three turnovers on the road and expect to win."

Las Vegas defense got off to a good start, with Maxx Crosby sacking Justin Herbert for an 11-yard loss at the Chargers' 39-yard line, forcing them to punt.

The Chargers' defense stopped the Raiders on 4th down and one yard to go, able to lead 3-0 with a 53-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. The Raiders crossed midfield with a 19-yard pass from Gardner Minshew II to Davante Adams.

Las Vegas Raiders #22 Alexander Mattison (RB) 31 yards touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

The Raiders would take the lead 7-3 after running back Alexander Mattison caught a pass from Minshew II, and leaped over a Los Angeles defender, and scored from 31 yards out.

Minshew II would fumble the football at Las Vegas' 43-yard line, and Khalil Mack picked the ball and ran to the 22-yard line to give the Chargers good field position. The Raiders would lead at halftime 7-6 after Dicker kicked a 25-yard field goal.

Los Angeles took the lead 9-7 in the third quarter with a 24-yard field goal by Dicker. Los Angeles's defense forced a fumble by the Raiders' Zamir White and recovered by Ja'Sir Taylor at their 45-yard line.

                Los Angeles Chargers #27 J.K. Dobbins (RB) 11-yard touchdown run at SoFi Stadium. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

The Chargers were at the Raiders 11-yard line with first down and ten to start the fourth quarter. The Chargers push their lead to 16-7 with an 11-yard touchdown run by J.K. Dobbins.

Jakobi Meyers gave the Raiders a big shot in the arm with a 33-yard reception to help set up Daniel Carlson with a 32-yard field goal, making the score 16-10 in favor of the Chargers.

Las Vegas' offense seemed off and couldn't sustain drives to put points on the board, and one of the best receivers in the game, Davante Adams, had only five catches for 59 yards, and the running game wasn't there.

"It's something we harped on, we talked about for literally two weeks," Piece said of the team's rushing attack. "I thought for the most part of the preseason, we did a decent job of that. But you look at it, we had two explosive runs, got to hold them. Got another explosive run, and we fumbled the ball.

The Raiders had the Chargers pinned at their 11-yard line, but moments later, Dobbins broke free for 61 yards down to Las Vegas's 14-yard line.

The Chargers would score again after Herbert threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ladd Mckoney, now led 22-10, and that would be the final score of the game.

Justin Herbert made the plays he had to make for the Chargers to pick up their first win in the AFC West and completed 17 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown.

The Raiders' next game will also be on the road as they travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.