Herbert, Ekeler give Bolts boost in win
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Justin Herbert threw for three touchdowns, Austin Ekeler rushed for 117 yards and scored twice and the Chargers knocked the Raiders from the unbeaten ranks with a 2814 victory Monday night.
The Chargers are 3-1 for the first time since 2014 and part of a threeway tie atop the AFC West with Las Vegas and Denver. The Raiders’ loss means the Cardinals are the NFL’s lone undefeated team after four weeks.
Herbert, who completed 25 of 38 passes for 222 yards, accounted for all of his touchdowns in the first half as the Chargers built a 21-0 halftime lead. The Raiders scored on their first two possessions of the second half to draw within a touchdown, but Ekeler gave Los Angeles some breathing room with an 11-yard run off left guard. Herbert had the key play of the drive with a 13-yard completion to Jared Cook on fourth-and-two from midfield.
Ekeler, who had 145 total yards, also had a touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Derek Carr was 21-for-34 for 196 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The Raiders managed only 48 yards rushing against a Chargers defense that was last in the league in run defense.
Las Vegas was held to one first down and 51 net yards in the first half, but made adjustments at halftime and scored on its first two possessions of the second half. The Raiders took the third-quarter kickoff and scored when Carr found Hunter Renfrow for a 10-yard touchdown.
Darren Waller then drew Las Vegas within a touchdown when he caught a three-yard pass with 1:44 remaining in the third to cut the deficit to 21-14.
The start of the game was delayed 35 minutes because of lightning strikes in the area. SoFi Stadium has a roof, but is classified as open-air due to the north side being open on the upper deck.