Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: 3 players to watch in Week 9

Nov 1, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Herbert is playing at a high level as a rookie in 2020 Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Herbert is playing at a high level as a rookie in 2020 Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: 3 players to watch in Week 9

Justin Herbert

We have to include the rookie quarterback here, and for good reason. Despite sporting a 1-5 record as a starter, the losses have truly not been the fault of the Justin Herbert, who is playing at a very high level.

Herbert recently became the first rookie quarterback since Deshaun Watson to throw three touchdown passes in four consecutive games. Throwing for nearly 2,000 yards already with 15 touchdowns, the sky is the limit for Herbert, which is terrifying news for this Raiders defense.

Despite the shutdown of Baker Mayfield in Cleveland, two things can be looked at through a microscope here. The lackluster performance from Mayfield could have been mainly due to weather, and the second being Mayfield is not as talented as Justin Herbert, nor does he currently sport the weapons Herbert has at his disposal.

Next. Las Vegas Raiders secondary could be at 100 percent for Chargers game. dark

The Raiders will need to break their sack-less streak and get to Herbert or use more blitz packages to stay in the face of the young gunslinger. Stopping Herbert (if you can) or at least providing enough pressure is the only way the Raiders have a chance at victory. That is unless they want to risk getting into another shootout.