Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats: A Comprehensive Breakdown (Jan 5 2025)

Introduction

The Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers game on January 5, 2025, was one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. The Chargers, led by their star quarterback Justin Herbert, were looking to secure a playoff spot, while the Raiders were hoping to keep their postseason dreams alive. Both teams brought their best to the field, showcasing incredible individual performances and game-changing plays. From Herbert’s precision passing to the Raiders’ defense trying to stifle the Chargers’ offensive juggernaut, this game had it all. In this breakdown, we’ll dive deep into the key player stats, team performance, and game-changing moments that defined the outcome.

Game Summary

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders with a final score of 34-20. The game saw Justin Herbert throwing for over 346 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading the Chargers to victory and securing the 5th seed in the AFC playoffs. Aidan O’Connell of the Raiders struggled with pressure from the Chargers’ defense, despite throwing for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jakobi Meyers had a solid performance for the Raiders, catching 9 passes for 123 yards and 1 touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Herbert’s clinical performance. The Chargers’ defense played a critical role, forcing turnovers and applying consistent pressure, including a crucial interception by Daiyan Henley in the first half that shifted the momentum.

Quick Reference Stats

Team Statistics: Chargers Control Every Phase

Looking at the overall team statistics, the Chargers were the more dominant team across most categories. Los Angeles finished with 473 total yards, led by Justin Herbert’s 346 passing yards. The Raiders, on the other hand, had only 264 total yards, with their passing game accounting for the majority of their production. The Chargers excelled in 3rd down conversions, successfully converting 7 of 14 attempts, while the Raiders struggled significantly, converting only 2 of 9. The Chargers’ offense played at a high level, maintaining possession for nearly 39 minutes, which effectively wore down the Raiders’ defense over four quarters.

Quarterback Comparison: Herbert Excellence vs O’Connell Struggles

Justin Herbert showcased his elite skills, finishing the game with 346 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and a 77.8% completion rate. He made key throws to Quentin Johnston and Will Dissly, finding them on critical 3rd downs. Herbert’s performance allowed the Chargers to maintain a balanced offensive attack, especially in the second half. His ability to lead long drives kept the Raiders’ offense off the field for extended periods.

On the other hand, Aidan O’Connell of the Raiders struggled to execute under consistent pressure. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 214 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Despite a solid showing from Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers, O’Connell failed to generate a consistent rhythm. The Raiders offense was held in check for most of the game, and the disparity in total yards highlighted the gap between the two offensive units during this Week 18 encounter.

Receiving Statistics: Career Days and Milestones

Quentin Johnston had a huge game for the Chargers, finishing with a career-high 13 receptions for 186 yards. His consistent ability to create separation was crucial for Herbert. Will Dissly and DJ Chark also contributed with touchdown catches. On the Raiders’ side, Jakobi Meyers continued to prove his worth, recording 9 receptions for 123 yards and 1 touchdown, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Brock Bowers also added 4 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown, showing promise for the future, but the overall receiving corps couldn’t match the volume produced by the Chargers.

Rushing Attack Analysis

In terms of rushing, the Chargers dominated with 137 total yards on the ground. JK Dobbins led the way with 18 carries for 63 yards, while Hassan Haskins added a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Justin Herbert also used his legs effectively, contributing 42 rushing yards including a long 41-yard scramble. The Raiders, meanwhile, struggled mightily in this department, gaining only 39 total rushing yards. Alexander Mattison was limited to 20 yards on 6 carries. This inability to establish the run made the Raiders’ offense one-dimensional and easier for the Chargers to defend.

Defensive Performances and Key Plays

The Chargers’ defense was exceptional in this game, limiting the Raiders to just 16 first downs. Linebacker Daiyan Henley made the play of the game with an interception late in the second quarter that set up a Chargers touchdown just before halftime. The Raiders’ defense, led by Maxx Crosby, fought hard but ultimately couldn’t get off the field, allowing the Chargers to convert 50% of their third downs. The Raiders recorded 1 sack, but they failed to force any turnovers, which proved costly in a high-stakes divisional game.

Special Teams Impact

Special teams played a crucial role in maintaining field position. Cameron Dicker, the Chargers’ kicker, was instrumental, converting 4 field goals including a long of 49 yards. His accuracy ensured that even when drives stalled, the Chargers came away with points. Daniel Carlson, the Raiders’ kicker, converted 2 field goals, including a 47-yarder, but the Raiders didn’t have enough scoring opportunities to fully utilize his elite leg. The punting battle also favored the Chargers, with JK Scott pinning the Raiders deep on multiple occasions.

Field Goal Efficiency

Field goal efficiency was a highlight for both teams. Cameron Dicker of the Chargers was nearly perfect, providing a steady stream of points that kept the pressure on Las Vegas. His 32, 49, 33, and 20-yard field goals were vital in a game where the Chargers reached the red zone five times but only scored two touchdowns. Daniel Carlson showed his usual reliability for the Raiders, but the offense’s struggle to move the ball meant he wasn’t called upon as often as needed to close the scoring gap.

Punting Disparity

Punting played a significant role in the field position battle. The Raiders’ AJ Cole averaged an impressive 60 yards per punt on 3 attempts, trying his best to flip the field. However, the Chargers’ JK Scott only had to punt once, reflecting the Chargers’ offensive efficiency. The Raiders’ inability to force more punts meant the Chargers were constantly in a position to score or control the clock.

Return Game

In the return game, both teams were relatively contained. Derius Davis handled return duties for the Chargers, ensuring safe catches and decent starting positions. The Raiders’ return unit struggled to find any explosive plays that could have provided a much-needed spark to their offense. Without a major return play, the Raiders were forced to drive long distances against a prepared Chargers defense.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Progression

1st Quarter:

• Chargers: Cameron Dicker 33-yard Field Goal
• Raiders: Daniel Carlson 40-yard Field Goal

2nd Quarter:

• Raiders: Jakobi Meyers 25-yard TD reception (Carlson XP)
• Chargers: Cameron Dicker 32-yard Field Goal
• Chargers: Cameron Dicker 49-yard Field Goal
• Chargers: DJ Chark 6-yard TD reception (McConkey 2pt Conv)

3rd Quarter:

• Chargers: Cameron Dicker 20-yard Field Goal
• Raiders: Daniel Carlson 47-yard Field Goal

4th Quarter:

• Chargers: Will Dissly 2-yard TD reception (Dicker XP)
• Chargers: Hassan Haskins 2-yard rushing TD (Dicker XP)
• Raiders: Brock Bowers 12-yard TD reception (Carlson XP)

Red Zone Efficiency: The Chargers’ Achilles Heel

Despite dominating the yardage and time of possession, the Chargers’ red zone efficiency was an area that kept the game closer than it perhaps should have been. They converted only 2 of 5 red zone trips into touchdowns, settling for field goals on several occasions. The Raiders were efficient when they did get deep into Chargers territory, converting their only red zone trip into a touchdown, but they simply couldn’t get there often enough to challenge the lead.

Historical and Playoff Context

This win gave the Chargers their 11th victory of the season and solidified their position as the 5th seed in the AFC. It marked a successful first regular season under coach Jim Harbaugh. For the Raiders, the loss ended their season at 4-13, placing them at the bottom of the AFC West. The game served as a reminder of the rebuilding work ahead for Las Vegas while the Chargers headed into the Wild Card round with momentum.

Individual Achievements and Milestones

Justin Herbert set a new career milestone for most passing yards in a single season during this game. Quentin Johnston’s 186 receiving yards marked a significant breakout performance for the young receiver. On the Raiders’ side, Jakobi Meyers reached the 1,000-yard receiving milestone for the first time in his career, becoming one of the few undrafted free agents to achieve this feat in NFL history.

Why the Raiders Lost: Three Critical Failures

The Raiders’ loss can be attributed to three key failures: Lack of a rushing attack (only 39 yards), poor third-down efficiency (2 for 9), and the inability to control the clock. By losing the time of possession battle by nearly 18 minutes, the Raiders’ defense was left on the field too long, eventually leading to the breakdown in the fourth quarter where the Chargers scored 14 points to pull away.

Chargers’ Keys to Victory

The Chargers won the game due to their ability to execute in key areas: Justin Herbert’s elite distribution to 9 different receivers, a stout run defense that neutralized the Raiders’ ground game, and the reliability of Cameron Dicker. The Chargers’ ability to sustain long drives (averaging over 6.6 yards per play) was the ultimate difference maker.

Final Analysis: Playoff Ready vs Season Over

The Chargers’ performance solidifies their status as a dangerous playoff contender. With a high-powered offense and a defense capable of making opportunistic plays, they are a tough out for any team. On the other hand, the Raiders head into the offseason needing to address their offensive consistency and run blocking to avoid another losing season in the competitive AFC West.

FAQs

1. Who were the standout players in the game?
Justin Herbert (Chargers) with 346 yards and 2 TDs, and Quentin Johnston with 186 receiving yards. Jakobi Meyers (Raiders) had 123 yards and a TD.

2. How did the Chargers’ defense contribute to the win?
The defense held the Raiders to only 39 rushing yards and forced a critical interception that led to a touchdown just before halftime.

3. What was the key difference in the Raiders’ rushing attack?
The Raiders were unable to find any holes in the Chargers’ defensive line, resulting in a season-low 39 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carry.

4. How did the Chargers’ offense dominate?
They controlled the ball for nearly 39 minutes and outgained the Raiders by over 200 yards, maintaining a balanced attack through the air and on the ground.

5. How did special teams affect the game?
Cameron Dicker’s 4 field goals provided a cushion every time the offense failed to reach the end zone, ensuring the Chargers kept a multi-score lead.

6. What’s the impact of this victory for the Chargers?
The Chargers secured the 5th seed in the AFC playoffs, setting up a Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans.