Chargers host Raiders in Week 2 AFC West clash at SoFi Stadium
The Los Angeles Chargers will meet the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT in Inglewood, with CBS broadcasting the game and Kirk Cousins starting at quarterback for the Raiders.
The Chargers’ second-week schedule pits them against division rival Las Vegas at home, marking the 134th regular-season meeting between the two clubs. The Raiders entered the matchup 1-0 after a 27-13 victory over Miami, while the Bolts look to rebound from a 26-14 loss to Arizona in their opener.
CBS will carry the contest with Andrew Catalon on play-by-play and Logan Ryan as analyst; fans can also stream the game on NFL+ or listen on KFI AM-640 and a slate of regional stations. Spanish-language commentary will be available on Latino Mix 103.9/89.3 FM.
Los Angeles also contends with a late-breaking injury report that rules cornerback Deane Leonard out and lists edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu as questionable, forcing head coach Jim Harbaugh to adjust his defensive game plan.
Raiders arrive on a 1-0 start and a veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins, the 38-year-old veteran, will start at quarterback for the Raiders, a decision announced by head coach Klint Kubiak after the team signed the former Atlanta signal-caller in April. Cousins earned the nod by completing 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-13 win over the Dolphins, becoming the 15th quarterback to reach 300 career touchdown passes.
The Raiders’ opening-week performance showed a marked improvement from last season, moving from the league’s lowest yardage and scoring averages to a balanced attack that posted 290 total yards. Running back Ashton Jeanty contributed 102 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the offense avoided early-game turnovers that plagued the previous year.
Las Vegas will look to extend that momentum against a Chargers defense that has been solid in the red zone but allowed 393 total yards to Arizona. The Raiders’ offensive line, bolstered by the addition of veteran tackle Andre Dillard, will test the Bolts’ newly appointed defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who inherits a unit missing Deane Leonard and potentially Tuli Tuipulotu.
Chargers aim to bounce back after a 26-14 loss
Los Angeles opened the season with a 26-14 defeat at home to the Cardinals, a game in which Justin Herbert threw an 8-yard touchdown to Ladd McConkey but also suffered a sack that led to a turnover. The Bolts’ defense limited Arizona to two touchdowns inside the 20-yard line but surrendered 393 yards overall, the second-most allowed in the previous campaign.
In addition to the on-field setbacks, the Chargers entered Week 2 without cornerback Deane Leonard, who missed the Cardinals game with an abdomen injury, and with edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu listed as questionable after a hip issue limited his practice participation. The loss of Leonard removes a veteran presence from the secondary, likely promoting backup Nikko Reed or Kaiir Elam into a larger role.
Harbaugh’s staff will also be evaluating the impact of new coordinators, Mike McDaniel on offense and Chris O’Leary on defense, while integrating recent free-agent signings such as tight end Charlie Kolar and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. The Chargers will need to generate a stronger running game and protect Herbert from pressure if they hope to reverse the early-season slide.
The Chargers-Raiders showdown is the first true AFC West test for both clubs, and the outcome could set the tone for the rest of the season. With the Raiders riding a rare opening-week win and the Bolts missing a key cornerback, Los Angeles fans should watch how Harbaugh’s new defensive scheme adapts under pressure, a factor that could influence the Chargers’ playoff chances in a tightly contested division.