Injured Herbert Leads Chargers 31-14 Over Slumping Raiders Again/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Justin Herbert powered through a broken hand to throw two touchdowns, leading the Chargers to a 31-14 win over the Raiders. Los Angeles earned its fourth win in five games, while Las Vegas dropped its sixth straight. Kimani Vidal rushed for a career-high 126 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run.
Chargers vs Raiders Quick Looks
- Chargers beat Raiders 31-14 for fourth straight division win.
- Justin Herbert played through a broken left hand, throwing 2 TDs.
- Herbert will undergo surgery but hopes to miss no games.
- Kimani Vidal ran for 126 yards and a 59-yard TD.
- Raiders fall to 2-10 with sixth consecutive loss.
- Brock Bowers caught both of Geno Smith’s TD passes.
- Raiders’ offense showed signs of life under Greg Olson.
- Maxx Crosby flagged for late hit on Herbert in fourth quarter.
- Chargers defense allowed just 31 rushing yards and sacked Geno five times.
- Chargers improve to 8-4, staying neck-and-neck with Denver in AFC West.
Deep Look
Herbert Overcomes Hand Injury as Chargers Dominate Raiders for Fourth Straight Win
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Even a broken bone couldn’t stop Justin Herbert from guiding the Los Angeles Chargers to another dominant win over the Las Vegas Raiders, as the quarterback played through a left hand injury to lead his team to a 31-14 victory Sunday.
The injury occurred on the Chargers’ opening drive when Herbert was slammed to the turf by Raiders defender Jeremy Chinn. X-rays revealed a fracture on the back of his non-throwing hand. He returned with a hard cast and glove, took only shotgun snaps, and adjusted his game — but he never backed down.
“I did my best to go out there and take care of business,” Herbert said. “I’m treating it as if I’m playing next Monday.”
Despite the setback, Herbert threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-20 passing, bouncing back from a career-low 81-yard performance the previous week against Jacksonville. He threw a costly red-zone interception early, but remained steady and efficient as the game progressed.
Chargers Dominate Ground and Air
Herbert’s efforts were backed by Kimani Vidal, who rushed for a career-high 126 yards, including a crushing 59-yard touchdown just 57 seconds into the second half that broke the game open.
“We ran the ball really well, so it was really cool to see,” Herbert added.
The Chargers (8-4) rebounded from a blowout loss to the Jaguars and now remain unbeaten (4-0) in AFC West play. They’ve won four of their last five and are tied with Denver in the divisional standings.
Meanwhile, the Raiders (2-10) continue to spiral, dropping their sixth straight game and falling to the bottom of the AFC. Sunday’s loss extended their misery in what has become a forgettable season.
Herbert’s Grit, Raiders’ Frustration
Despite his limited mobility and altered throwing mechanics, Herbert still found Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey for touchdowns. His most memorable moment came in the fourth quarter when he hit Johnston for a third-down conversion — only to be blindsided by Maxx Crosby, who was flagged for a personal foul long after the play ended.
“He had been getting after us all day,” Herbert said of Crosby. “I think it was just one of those plays where emotions got the best of him. I’ve got a ton of respect for him.”
Derwin James echoed the sentiment: “I know Maxx. He’s not that type of player. Hopefully he didn’t try to do it on purpose.”
The drive Crosby extended with the penalty ended with Jaret Patterson’s late touchdown — his first NFL score since 2021 — sealing the game.
Raiders Show Some Offensive Life
Though the loss was another blow, the Raiders did see some progress under interim offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who replaced Chip Kelly after his firing last week.
Geno Smith, starting again despite fan calls for change, threw for 165 yards and two touchdowns to rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who made a highlight-reel one-handed catch in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
“That was a big-time grab,” Smith said of Bowers. “Greg (Olson) did a great job stepping in and calling plays.”
Las Vegas’ best moment came in the second quarter when they marched 82 yards for a touchdown — their longest scoring drive in a month. Still, their inability to respond to big plays or stop the run haunted them once again.
Bolts Defense Holds Firm
Tuli Tuipulotu recorded two of the Chargers’ five sacks, as the defense stifled the Raiders, limiting them to 156 total yards, including just 31 rushing yards.
“We set the tone up front,” said head coach Jim Harbaugh. “We played physical and stayed disciplined. That’s how you close out a game.”
The Chargers converted 12 of 17 third downs, a stat that underscored their offensive efficiency and kept the Raiders’ struggling unit off the field.
What’s Next
- Chargers: Host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Dec. 8 in what could be a pivotal late-season matchup.
- Raiders: Return home to face the Denver Broncos as they try to snap their six-game skid.
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