Raiders at Chargers: Defensive Grades for 2022 Week 1
The Las Vegas Raiders had a ton against them on defense in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season, but they stepped up to the challenge.
In a game that featured a ton of star power on offense, it was the defenses that stepped up in the Las Vegas Raiders’ week one matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
For the Raiders, it wasn’t a great start allowing 17 points in the first half, but new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham made some strong 2nd half adjustments and held the Chargers to only 7 points in the second half. And they did this despite losing players in the secondary and dealing with multiple turnovers from their offense.
The key in Week 2 will be ensuring they do not wait until the second half to tighten up but are ready to attack from the opening kickoff. However, as we close out Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season, let’s evaluate the defense by position group and see how each unit performed in the 24-19 loss.
Raiders at Chargers: Defensive Grades for 2022 Week 1
Defensive line
Coming into the game, we expected the Raiders’ pass rush to significantly influence this game, much like they did in last year’s season finale. Unfortunately, that was not the case, as the front four only managed 3 QB hits the entire game.
Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones did account for all 3 of those QB hits, but they did not take over the game by any stretch. And watching former Raider Khalil Mack be a one-man wrecking crew on the other side for the Chargers was a bit disappointing.
Now one area the defensive line did not disappoint was against the run. The Chargers only managed 2.5 yards per attempt on 31 carries and were a one-dimensional team for the entire game. The interior played well, and Bilal Nichols, in particular, flashed great strength at the point of attack.
So with a below-average pass rush, it is hard to say the defensive line played great, but stopping the run is always a positive.
Grade: B-
Linebackers
Regarding being around the ball, the linebackers only accounted for 15 of the 74 tackles on Sunday and only had one tackle for loss. So there was not a ton of individual playmaking. Although Denzel Perryman getting hurt certainly did not help
In coverage, Justin Herbert was very effective in the middle of the field, going 10-13 on passes in short to intermediate.
That isn’t solely on the linebackers, but when it comes to protecting the middle of the field, they certainly play a role.
Divine Deablo really struggled in coverage, allowing six receptions on seven targets for 63 yards.
This will be something to watch as the season goes on. They contributed to the defense as a whole, but in terms of individuals, they weren’t much of a factor in the game.
Grade: C+
Defensive Backs
The highlight of the secondary yet again was Nate Hobbs, as he continues to grow as a player and leader. Hobbs had nine tackles (six solos), two TFLs, and had the only pass deflection, which came on a crucial third down.
Expect him to be the best player in the secondary this season and the tone setter for the defense as a whole.
Jonathan Abram also had a decent game leading the team in tackles and made a tremendous open-field play on Austin Ekler on a third down but was not given his full credit because of a questionable spot.
Overall, the secondary played very well with the loss of both Trevon Moehrig and Anthony Averett. Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, so you’ll never shut him down entirely, but to improve throughout the game as they did was very promising.
Grade: B+