Los Angeles Chargers: 4 Bold Predictions As Jim Harbaugh Makes His NFL Return Versus Raiders

Week One has officially arrived. For the Los Angeles Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, he returns to the NFL by facing an AFC West foe: the Las Vegas Raiders.

The last time these two teams faced off, the Raiders put up 63 points in a game Chargers personnel want to forget.

“You can’t let that happen again and guys in the locker room, they all feel the same way,” quarterback Justin Herbert said to the media Wednesday . “We don’t even have to talk about what kind of feeling that brings out.”

However, it is a new season filled with optimism and the opportunity to have a good year.

Here are four bold predictions as the Chargers host the Raiders on Sept. 8 at 1:05 p.m. PT inside SoFi Stadium.

Justin Herbert-Quentin Johnson Show New Connection

This is a new-look Chargers team that does not have its top receivers from a season ago. No Keenan Allen, no Gerald Everett and no Mike Williams, whom the latter suffered an injury last season. Although there are a lot of new pass catchers in this offense, quarterback Justin Herbert still has wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Johnston, who was a rookie last year and played in all 17 games a season ago, recorded 38 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns.

Herbert said Johnston is a player he has to find as the connection they found in camp was vital.

“I think he’s a playmaker,” Herbert said of Johnson. “He’s one of those guys you have to find ways to get him the ball. When you do, special things happen. As quarterbacks, you ourselves are point guards where we have to get them the ball. I think that the tough thing about the NFL is defenses are coming up with ways to stop that. As long as we’re getting them the ball in space and giving them a chance to run with, we’re doing our job.”

It is still up for grabs as to who will be Herbert’s No. 1 option in the passing game. However, the rapport that Herbert and Johnston have together goes a long way. If the two are on the same page and he continues to get open, Johnson could easily have double-digit receptions and triple-digit receiving yards.

The Chargers may need to lean on Johnston even more in this game. DJ Chark was ruled out for Week 1 and Josh Palmer injured his knee, but was a full participant in practice and will be in uniform on game day.

Also read: 6 keys to a Chargers victory over the Raiders in Week 1

J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards Rush for 150 yards, and multiple touchdowns

Although this is a new running back room, the two main running backs still have the same offensive coordinator from 2022. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards were both with Baltimore and had Greg Roman as their offensive coordinator, who came with them to Southern California.

Roman describes this running back duo as a 1A and 1B and not one starts over the other. It is who has the hot hand.

The Chargers can open up holes for Dobbins and Edwards where it is possible for them to get well into triple-digit-rushing yard territory. Last year, the Raiders ranked 20 ^th in rushing yards allowed. However, Las Vegas allowed the fourth most rushing yards away from Allegiant Stadium, giving up 143.1 yards across their eight road games.

The run game can be something to rely on, especially if Herbert has some bumps in the road when trying to build chemistry with his new receivers.

Last year, Dobbins was hurt for the majority of the year, so Edwards got most of the work. Edwards set season highs with 810 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago. He was not used as much in the passing game, having just 12 receptions. However, when he did get the ball through the air, he made the most of it, taking for 180 yards, good for 15 yards per catch.

The passing volume for the two running backs will be a thing to see as the season progresses, whether it is designed or after the pressure comes. However, the ground game is what Harbaugh and Roman will rely on in this first game.

Related: NFL insider has high hopes for ‘explosive’ Los Angeles Chargers RBs

Rookie Joe Alt does not individually allow multiple sacks

Every NFL player has their “Welcome to the NFL” moment. For some, it might be sometime during the season, maybe midway through or at the back end of the year. However, for Chargers first-round pick Joe Alt, his moment will be on Sunday and could even be during his first snap.

Alt probably will not be lined up against nose tackle Christian Wilkins but will primarily face three-time Pro Bowler edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who was No. 10 on the NFL Top 100.

“There can’t be a bigger test right out of the gate,” Harbaugh said . “Joe’s preparing for it and I can’t wait to watch him compete. Starting out against a premier EDGE player and in the history of this game really.”

Alt will get to learn about his counterpart from backup right tackle Alex Leatherwood, who was drafted by the Raiders a few years ago. That, on top of the film on Crosby, could be the difference.

Crosby has different moves he can go to just to get to the quarterback, whether it is the spin, swim move, or the juke.

It will definitely be a challenge facing Crosby however Roman believes he is up to the task.

“I don’t think he is going to blink,” Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said about Alt facing Crosby. “Football is an imperfect game. You try to be perfect but there’s going to be things that come up and you’ve got to fix them and move on and adjust. I don’t think he’s going to be wide-eyed at anything. He’s the kind of the guy if something happens, he’ll come back, talk through it, reason it out and figure out a solution. And those are the guys that continue to ascend.”

The 2024 fifth overall pick is going up a player like Crosby who has double-digit sacks in each of the last two seasons. Crosby, who was a 2023 Second Team All-Pro, has also led the league in tackles for loss each of the last two seasons as well.

Also read: Los Angeles Chargers: Week 1 injury report

Chargers D outduels Raiders D with multiple picks, sacks

This is a matchup that features two solid defenses. There are a couple of Chargers who are playing against their former team in edge rusher Kahlil Mack and linebacker Denzel Perryman. With Joey Bosa and Tuil Tuipulotu to add to Mack, the Charge edge rushing will be key,

In the first matchup last season at SoFi Stadium, Mack recorded a franchise record six sacks against the Silver and Black. That was also a career-high for the former Raider and it was the second most sack in a single game in NFL history.

On the flip side, the Raiders have Crosby and the newly acquired Wilkins in the middle of the line.

The key matchup for the Chargers will be Asante Samuel shadowing Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams. The Chargers also have the veteran Derwin James at safety to support Samuel in double-team coverage.

As a result, this is a Chargers defense that can play with energy and defend the home field to begin the season against a rival.

Ultimately, the Chargers want to get on the right foot, and it begins on Sunday. They will have to do it in all three phases – offense, defense, and special teams.

More must-reads:

• Khalil Mack: Chargers Defender is Unlike Any Teammate He’s Had
• Chargers’ Passing Game Dealt Uncertain Hand: Key WR Out for Week 1
• Los Angeles Chargers OC Reveals Week 1 Strategy To Fill Huge Austin Ekeler Void With JK Dobbins And Gus Edwards