LA Chargers 22 Raiders 10; New Culture vs Same Old Song

Jim Harbaugh congratulates running back JK Dobbins as he comes off the field after the Chargers upped their lead to 22-10.Photo byPhoto by Ashley Landis / Associated Press

On Sunday, the ground and pound physical mentality of the Los Angeles Chargers new coach Jim Harbaugh already paid dividends as the Chargers ran for 176 yards with 6.5 yards per rush and beat the Las Vegas Raiders 22-10 in Los Angeles. The Raiders pass rush looked great, but it was the run game where the Chargers did the damage.

There is a new excitement for the Chargers, with many fans saying this is a different culture. For a team that is used to decades of losing close games, it was a breath of fresh air to wear down a Raiders defense and use the run game to seal the victory.

For the Raiders, it was the same old song. Gardner Minshew was in mid-season form, as he looked good at times but then threw a backwards pass with no one near him that ended up being a costly turnover. In his debut, he was 23-33 for 257 yards and 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The Raiders only ran for 71 yards, and new running back Zamir White ran for 44 yards on 13 carries with a lost fumble. Some lamented new coach Antonio Pierce's decision to not go for it on fourth and 1 at the Chargers 43-yard line. They pinned them at the 8-yard line, but Los Angeles answered with a 92-yard drive to seal the win.

Justin Herbert pedestrian numbers as he went 17 for 26 for 144 yards and 1 touchdown. Herbert did not throw an interception, and that is what Harbaugh is emphasizing with him.

The Raiders travel next week to Baltimore to play the Ravens, and the Chargers will travel to Carolina to play the Panthers.