The Chargers have taken care of business in their first two games of the season. First they went down to Brazil and beat the Chiefs for the first time in four years. Then they went into Vegas and took care of the Raiders. They sit atop the AFC West in solo first place heading into this week's matchup with Denver.
Monday's effort was less sharp all around relative to their Week 1 performance vs. the Chiefs. But it still was a dominant performance from the defense as the secondary was flying around.
Jesse Minter's unit baited Geno Smith into taking deep shots that forced turnovers. And when they finally did go on a 10+ minute dink and dunk drive, they only came out with three points to show from it. It was a perfectly executed plan by Minter.
Winners and losers from the Chargers' dominant Monday Night Football win over the Las Vegas Raiders:
Winner: CB Tarheeb Still
The Falcons game from last season will probably remain Tarheeb Still's best game in the eyes of most. But I'd genuinely argue that his performance on Monday was close to that level. Still had nine tackles, five stops, and two pass breakups. He received an 81.4 defensive grade and 81.2 coverage grade from PFF. That was his highest graded performance in both categories since the aforementioned Atlanta game.
Still has felt very comfortable playing against the run in both games, which is an improvement relative to last season. The way he consistently flew to the ball on the outside was very impressive:
Loser: The run game as a whole
There will be some concern around Omarion Hampton or specific running backs and blockers when it comes to the run game. But the reality is that through two games, it's been a team failure. The Chargers rank 32nd in rush EPA this year. That's worse than the Chicago Bears. 32nd in rush EPA is actually worse than the team did last year in the four games that J.K. Dobbins missed last season-they were 30th.
Omarion Hampton is still getting used to the NFL level, as we've seen with some mistakes and the timing/decision making needed to take holes when they do open up. Although that was more of a problem against the Chiefs on tape than it was this week. Najee Harris is still getting back up to speed. He looked better this week physically and was able to take eight carries.
The true failure has been the blocking. For the most part, no holes opened up against Vegas. The Chargers had tight ends unsuccessfully go against Maxx Crosby. Not a great idea. While the interior offensive line has been doing well in pass protection, the run blocking there is a concern especially while going against a star EDGE player like Crosby on the outside.
The Chargers have plenty of time to get their run game together. But it's clear that it's not even close to where it needs to be right now.
Winner: LB Daiyan Henley
The Jordan flu game was sorely needed. Battling through illness, Daiyan Henley continued the great season he started in Week 1 vs. the Chiefs. Henley led the team in tackles with 10. He had an interception, two pressures, a game sealing sack, and three stops in the backfield.
Henley was targeted 10 times in coverage by Geno Smith. He allowed the second lowest opposing passer rating of his starting career at 37.1.
Whatever facet of his game against the Raiders you choose to look at, the numbers and tape were overwhelmingly positive. Henley is no longer vying for Pro Bowl status in year three. Based off of the two performances he's had so far this year, he's a contender for All-Pro at LB.
Loser: EDGEs Bud Dupree and Caleb Murphy in the absence of Khalil Mack
Caleb Murphy and Bud Dupree combined for one pressure against the Raiders on 54 pass rushing snaps. While Tuli Tuipulotu had a solid game, the Chargers will have to do some soul searching in the EDGE room if Khalil Mack's injury knocks him out for a long time. Both Murphy and Dupree were the Chargers' lowest graded defenders of the game by PFF.
The Chargers can survive a two to three week absence for Mack. But if he were to be out for longer, I'd start to question whether they have the requisite pass rush juice on the outside. Even with Minter being able to dial up pressures in other creative ways, Mack's injury could require them to see what's available on the pass rusher market.
Winner: RT Trey Pipkins III
Trey Pipkins III has exceeded all expectations that most had for him in replacing Rashawn Slater's presence along the offensive line. Through two games, Pipkins has allowed just four pressures. All of them came against Kansas City-he allowed zero pressures in a game where he primarily had to deal with Crosby.
The run blocking from Pipkins and a few other members on the offensive line has to improve. But the Sioux Falls product has been about as good as one could possibly hope for. It was Pipkins' first 100 pass blocking efficiency and zero pressure game at right tackle since Week 18 of the 2023 season.
Loser: WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
This one isn't necessarily a huge dud given how the other receivers have performed. But the expectations for KeAndre Lambert-Smith were certainly a little higher given his preseason performance.
In Week 1, Lambert-Smith ran the wrong route on a miscommunication with Herbert. This week, he only had six snaps and committed an offside penalty. On another play in the All-22 film, Quentin Johnston had to direct Lambert-Smith to be lined up in the right spot.
It's not the end of the world. For the most part, I'd still chalk it up to KLS working through some rookie growing pains. But he hasn't looked nearly as prepared or ready as he did in the preseason.
Winner: WR Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen might be the biggest non-Justin Herbert division winner through the first two weeks. While the idea of signing Allen after Mike Williams' retirement was certainly appealing, I didn't think he had *this* level left in him.
Allen has 17 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns through two games. In his age 34 season, that would put him on pace for nearly 1100 yards. With Chicago last season, Allen was at 1.36 Y/RR (career low). Back with the Chargers, Allen is at 2.26 yards per route run through two games this year. That's nearly a full point increase from year to year.
Being back with Justin Herbert has clearly been beneficial for Allen. And Allen being back has arguably been just as beneficial for Herbert.