INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Las Vegas Raiders walked into SoFi Stadium carrying a four-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Chargers.
They walked out with that streak gone.
Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, including two to Cody White, and the Raiders took advantage of a late Los Angeles mistake to defeat the Chargers 26-14 on Sunday in the AFC West opener for both teams.
The victory gave Las Vegas its first road win over the Chargers since 2020 and snapped a four-game losing streak in the series.
It also gave the Raiders another victory in Southern California, where their fan base turned SoFi Stadium into a predominantly silver-and-black crowd.
For Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, the loss dropped him to 0-2 for the first time in his college or professional coaching career. The Chargers had also fallen 26-14 to Arizona the previous week.
Raiders Answer Every Chargers Punch
Las Vegas controlled the game early, but Los Angeles eventually found its rhythm.
The Raiders struck first when Tre Tucker took advantage of a blown coverage and hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass to give Las Vegas a 7-0 lead in the second quarter.
Rookie defensive back Genesis Smith, filling in for the injured Elijah Molden, lost track of Tucker on the play, leaving the Raiders receiver wide open.
Matt Gay then extended the advantage with a career-best 59-yard field goal just before halftime, sending Las Vegas into the break with a 10-7 lead.
The Chargers answered after halftime.
Justin Herbert connected with Oronde Gadsden on a 10-yard touchdown pass to give Los Angeles its first lead of the afternoon, 14-10.
The scoring play came after Herbert appeared to be in trouble.
Herbert had fumbled, with Keaton Mitchell recovering for the Chargers at the Las Vegas 10-yard line. On the ensuing possession, Maxx Crosby appeared to have an opportunity to bring Herbert down, but the Chargers quarterback spun away from the pressure and found Gadsden in the end zone.
The Raiders didn’t stay down for long.
White Becomes the Difference-Maker
Cody White was elevated from Las Vegas’ practice squad just one day before the game.
By the end of the afternoon, he was one of the biggest reasons the Raiders left Los Angeles with a victory.
Cousins immediately looked White’s way after the Chargers took the lead, connecting with him on a touchdown pass to put Las Vegas back in front 17-14.
White had also been active in Las Vegas’ Week 1 victory over Miami but did not record a reception.
This time, he made his opportunities count.
Cousins finished 19 of 29 for 253 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He was also sacked twice.
But the biggest play of the afternoon came from the Raiders’ defense.
Chinn’s Fumble Recovery Changes Everything
With Las Vegas leading 17-14 and just 3:52 remaining, Jeremy Chinn recovered a fumble by Chargers running back Omarion Hampton.
It was Hampton’s second consecutive game with a costly fumble.
Chinn immediately turned the takeaway into a major field-position advantage, returning the ball 43 yards to the Los Angeles 16-yard line.
The Raiders needed only three plays and 43 seconds to capitalize.
Cousins found White for an 11-yard touchdown, giving Las Vegas a 24-14 lead and putting the game out of reach.
The Raiders’ defense added another big play late, while a costly holding penalty against Chargers tackle Joe Alt contributed to a safety in the closing minutes.
Chargers Struggle to Find Offensive Rhythm
Herbert finished the afternoon 15 of 26 for 192 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times.
Los Angeles had several opportunities but repeatedly failed to sustain drives.
The Chargers’ opening possession ended when Cameron Dicker’s 58-yard field-goal attempt hit the crossbar. Dicker had previously made 59 of 63 field-goal attempts at home.
The Chargers also struggled with penalties.
Alt, one of the league’s top offensive tackles, was flagged three times for false starts and later received an offensive holding penalty that contributed to the Raiders’ late safety.
Raiders Defense Steps Up
Las Vegas’ defense consistently found ways to disrupt Los Angeles.
Crosby created pressure throughout the afternoon, while the Raiders ultimately recorded three sacks of Herbert.
The defense also produced the game’s decisive turnover when Chinn recovered Hampton’s fumble.
For Las Vegas, the performance represented a significant turnaround after losing four consecutive games to the Chargers, all by double-digit margins.
The Raiders also improved to 2-0 to begin the season.
Los Angeles dropped to 0-2.
Injury Report
The Raiders lost safety Treydan Stukes to an injury in the third quarter.
Los Angeles also dealt with several injuries.
Safety Derwin James Jr. injured his hand late in the first quarter but returned before halftime. Tight end David Njoku suffered a knee injury early in the second quarter and was taken from the field on a cart. Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson also left with an injury in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders erased a four-game losing streak against the Chargers, survived Los Angeles’ second-half push and finished the game with the kind of defensive play that turns close contests into victories.
Cousins and White supplied the offense.
Chinn delivered the turning point.
And the Raiders left SoFi Stadium with a win.
What’s Next:
The Raiders travel to New Orleans next Sunday looking to continue their strong start.
The Chargers face their first road test of the season when they travel to Buffalo.
