After a crazy end to the 2021 season, many expected similar fireworks from the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, the game did not go that way, and even worst, the Raiders found themselves on the losing end this time around, falling 24-19.
The most disappointing aspect of the game was the performance of the offense. Starting with a messy game by Derek Carr and the concerns with the offensive line coming to fruition There were some bright spots, including the arrival of Davante Adams to the Silver and Black, but the Raiders will need a much better performance from the entire offense if they want to reach their goals in 2022.
Let’s look at each position group and see how they did.
Raiders at Chargers: Offensive Grades for 2022 Week 1
Quarterback
There is no other way to say it; Derek Carr was awful on Sunday and was one of the main reasons the Raiders did not win.
The signs of a lousy afternoon started on the first drive when he missed an open Darren Waller in the endzone on 3rd and goal. From there on, Carr just seemed out of sync and made very puzzling decisions throughout the game.
Take his first interception, Waller had gotten behind both safeties and the linebacker, but instead of throwing it over the top, he decided to laser it in. That allowed Chargers’ Drue Tranquill to make a great play on the ball and intercept the pass, but he should never have had the opportunity.
The second interception was another case of his receiver getting behind the defense, but this time it was underthrown and allowed Asante Samuel Jr to recover on the play. And the last pick, he simply made a poor decision trying to fit it into Hunter Renfrow and did not even step into the pass.
All that and the two fumbles just made for a nightmarish game for Carr, one he will look to put behind him quickly. He did lead two touchdown drives, and his connection with Davante Adams was great from the beginning, so those are positives. But Carr made too many mistakes and was careless with the ball.
Grade: D