J.K. Dobbins rushes for 135 yards in Chargers’ 22-10 win over Raiders

Inglewood, California witnessed a thrilling matchup on Sunday as the Los Angeles Chargers secured a 22-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, marking a successful debut for head coach Jim Harbaugh.

J.K. Dobbins was a standout performer, rushing for an impressive 135 yards and finding the end zone with a 12-yard touchdown run. Notably, all ten of Dobbins’ carries occurred in the second half. This impressive performance also marked Dobbins’ fifth career game surpassing 100 rushing yards. After formerly playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Dobbins joined the Chargers on a one-year contract during the offseason.

Last season was a tumultuous one for Dobbins, as he faced significant challenges, playing only one game due to an Achilles tendon injury he sustained in the second half of the opener against Houston.

Quarterback Justin Herbert completed 17 of his 26 passes for 144 yards along with a touchdown. The victory was particularly gratifying for the Chargers, avenging a humiliating 63-21 defeat to the Raiders in the previous December, which prompted the firing of coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Harbaugh’s appointment followed after he enjoyed success leading Michigan to a national championship.

On the Raiders side, quarterback Gardner Minshew had a solid outing, completing 25 of 33 passes for 257 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his debut with the team.

Dobbins showcased his explosiveness throughout the game, notably executing the second- and third-longest runs of his career. A key moment came with a 46-yard dash through the middle on a critical third-and-1 from the Chargers’ 47-yard line. This run set up Cameron Dicker’s third field goal, putting the Chargers ahead 9-7 early in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter kicked off with Dobbins scoring a 12-yard run off right tackle, extending the Chargers’ lead to 16-7. As the game progressed, with Los Angeles clinging to a 16-10 advantage midway through the fourth, Dobbins broke loose for a remarkable 61-yard run off left tackle, pushing the Chargers down to the Raiders’ 14-yard line. Herbert quickly capitalized on this momentum, connecting with Ladd McConkey for a 10-yard touchdown. However, the attempt for a 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.

The first score of the game came from Dicker, who made a 53-yard field goal late in the first quarter after the Chargers capitalized on a defensive stop, taking over the ball at the Raiders’ 40-yard line.

The Raiders answered back, taking a 7-3 lead when they executed a 67-yard drive in just seven plays. Minshew connected a well-timed screen pass to Alexander Mattison, who made an impressive play, hurdling over Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and breaking out of a tackle attempt from linebacker Daiyan Henley to score his first touchdown with the Raiders.

Before the half concluded, the Chargers narrowed the gap to 7-6 when Dicker converted a 25-yard field goal. This scoring opportunity resulted from Khalil Mack’s defensive prowess, as he returned a fumble by Minshew for 22 yards after the quarterback mishandled a snap.

In terms of injuries from the game, Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson left during the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return to the field.

Following this matchup, the Raiders will head to Baltimore next Sunday to face the Ravens, while the Chargers will travel to Carolina for their next game.

Source: AP