Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders gear up for their divisional showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, all eyes are on how they’ll counter one of the NFL’s most disruptive defenses—a unit that ranks 12th in sacks, 15th in interceptions, and has held four opponents to 17 points or fewer this season. Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just about casual film study or generic practice drills; it’s a meticulous, position-by-position plan to neutralize the Chargers’ pass rush, limit their playmaking secondary, and create opportunities for an offense that stumbled in their last outing. With playoff hopes still alive, the Raiders’ ability to outscheme and outexecute the Chargers’ defense could be the difference between extending their season and watching from home.

Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders begins with a deep dive into the Chargers’ defensive strengths that the Raiders are prioritizing. The Chargers’ biggest threat comes from their edge-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, who have combined for 14.5 sacks this season—with Bosa specializing in speed off the edge and Mack using his strength to bull-rush tackles. The Raiders’ coaching staff has spent hours breaking down film of Bosa and Mack’s tendencies, noting that Bosa wins 70% of his one-on-one matchups when lined up on the right side, while Mack often shifts inside on third downs to exploit weaker interior linemen. Beyond the pass rush, the Chargers’ secondary—led by cornerback J.C. Jackson and safety Derwin James—has proven adept at forcing turnovers, with Jackson recording 3 interceptions and James tallying 2 forced fumbles. “We can’t ignore any part of their defense,” said Raiders offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. “Bosa and Mack demand attention, but if we focus too much on them, Jackson and James will make us pay. Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders means having a plan for every threat, not just the biggest names.”

Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders delves into the Raiders’ offensive line adjustments, which are critical to protecting quarterback Derek Carr from Bosa and Mack. After losing left tackle Kolton Miller to a knee injury against the Browns, the Raiders have shifted backup tackle Brandon Parker to the left side—where he’ll likely face Bosa—and promoted rookie Dylan Parham to start at right tackle. To support the tackles, the Raiders have added extra tight end or running back help in practice, running drills where tight end Darren Waller or running back Josh Jacobs stays in to block instead of running routes. The offensive line has also focused on “slide protections,” where the entire line shifts to one side to double-team Bosa or Mack, while the center and guard on the opposite side handle interior rushers. “Our line has been put to the test this week, but they’ve responded well,” Lombardi said. “Brandon has spent extra time working on his pass sets against speed rushers, and Dylan has leaned on veterans like center Andre James for advice. We know the Chargers will bring pressure early and often, so our line has to be ready to adjust on the fly. Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders starts with keeping Derek upright—if we can do that, we can move the ball.”

Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders highlights how the Las Vegas Raiders’ passing game is adapting to counter the Chargers’ ball-hawking secondary. Carr and his wide receivers have focused on quick, short passes—like slants, outs, and screen passes—that get the ball out of Carr’s hands before the pass rush can reach him. The Raiders have also practiced “pre-snap motion” to confuse the Chargers’ coverage, with wide receiver Davante Adams shifting from the slot to the outside or Jacobs motioning from the backfield to the line to force the secondary to adjust their assignments. Adams, who leads the Raiders with 85 catches and 1,100 yards, has spent extra time studying Jackson’s film, noting that Jackson tends to jump routes when lined up in press coverage. “I’ve been working on quick releases and double moves to keep Jackson off balance,” Adams said. “If I can get a step on him early, it opens up opportunities for the rest of the offense. The Las Vegas Raiders’ passing game isn’t just about me, though—we’re using all our weapons, from Darren Waller to Hunter Renfrow, to spread out their secondary and create mismatches. Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders means making sure every receiver knows their role in beating coverage.”

Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders explores the Raiders’ running game strategy, which they hope will keep the Chargers’ defense honest and reduce the pass rush. Jacobs, who has rushed for 970 yards this season, has focused on running between the tackles—where the Chargers’ run defense is weakest (they rank 22nd in rushing yards allowed per game)—rather than trying to go around the edge where Bosa and Mack lurk. The Raiders have also added more “power runs” to their playbook, using two tight ends and a fullback to clear lanes for Jacobs, and have practiced “play-action passes” off of running plays to catch the Chargers’ defense off guard. “Our running game can set the tone for the entire offense,” said Raiders running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu. “If we can get Jacobs going early, it forces the Chargers to commit more defenders to the run, which opens up the passing game. The Las Vegas Raiders have always been a team that can run the ball, and this week is no different. We’ve practiced against looks that mimic the Chargers’ run defense, so our guys know what to expect. Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders means using our running game to control the tempo and keep their defense tired.”

Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the mental and situational preparation that the Raiders are emphasizing to avoid mistakes. The team has run countless “two-minute drill” and “red zone” scenarios in practice, knowing that the Chargers excel at forcing turnovers in high-pressure situations. Carr has worked with quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski on reading the Chargers’ defensive signals, looking for telltale signs that indicate a blitz or a coverage shift. The Raiders have also focused on limiting penalties—they rank 18th in the NFL in penalty yards per game—which could prove costly against a Chargers defense that capitalizes on opponent mistakes. “Mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation,” said Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. “We’ve talked to the team about staying disciplined, not forcing plays, and trusting our game plan. The Las Vegas Raiders have the talent to beat this defense, but we have to execute every play like it matters. Preparing for Fierce Chargers Defense by the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just about what we do on the field—it’s about having the right mindset to stay focused for 60 minutes.” As kickoff approaches, the Raiders are confident that their weeks of preparation will pay off, knowing that a win over the Chargers would keep their playoff dreams alive and prove that they can handle one of the NFL’s toughest defenses.