Raiders Preparing For Game 1 Against Bosa, Mack And The Los Angeles Chargers

Sep 7, 2022, 8:00 AM

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders passes under pressure from defensive end Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers during their game at Allegiant Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 35-32 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

The Las Vegas Raiders have a tough divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers to kick off their season.

Coach Josh McDaniels said everyone is excited as they prepare for week 1 against the Chargers.

“Our offense has put in a lot of time together here. We haven’t necessarily done it in a preseason game yet. So, yeah, I’m excited about that,” McDaniels said. “I’m excited for all three units quite honestly. I really am. They put in a ton of work. This opening day is always fun because you get to play a game and then you’re going to find out a lot more three hours after you start than you knew before the game started. So, excited to see what that’s going to be. Excited to see where we’re going to have to evolve to. We know we’re not going to be perfect, it’s an impossibility on opening day. Definitely urgent and enthusiastic in there and we’re excited to have an opportunity to compete on Sunday.”

And two people that offense has to worry about are edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. The Raiders get the honor of being the first team to have to plan on containing both men. Over the off-season, the Chargers traded for Mack to bolster its defense. The pairing of Mack and Bosa is expected to improve the team’s defense, which ranked 26th last season.

So, how does McDaniels plan to stop them? Strong techniques and playing with good fundamentals.

“There’s no shortcuts around this one,” McDaniels said. “We have to do a good job of trying to get the ball out on time, when we’re supposed to. And you pick your spots when you’re going to try to do something and hold the ball a little longer, what have you, based on the play you’re trying to accomplish. This is a big challenge. They present a lot of issues offensively on their own, and so seeing them on the same field, obviously, will be difficult. But we’re hard at work trying to figure out how to create some offense against their whole group. But they’ll definitely be a challenge.”