Jamaree Salyer's Performance in the Los Angeles Chargers Win

In the Los Angeles Chargers’ critical Week 14 divisional win over the Las Vegas Raiders—a 27-20 victory that kept their playoff hopes alive—third-year offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer delivered a career-defining performance at left guard. Tasked with protecting quarterback Justin Herbert and clearing lanes for running backs Joshua Kelley and Omarion Hampton, Salyer rose to the occasion, turning in a near-flawless game that earned him a 91.2 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade—the highest of any Chargers player that day. His dominance in both run blocking and pass protection didn’t just fill a gap in the offensive line; it became the backbone of the Chargers’ game plan, allowing the offense to control the tempo and secure a much-needed win. Jamaree Salyer's Performance in the Los Angeles Chargers Win examines the specifics of his standout showing, from key blocks to game-changing plays, and why his performance was a turning point in the Chargers’ season.

Jamaree Salyer's Performance in the Los Angeles Chargers Win begins with his exceptional run blocking, which paved the way for the Chargers’ most productive rushing game in over a month. Facing a Raiders defense that ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (118 per game), Salyer took on the Raiders’ interior linemen with physicality and precision, creating holes for Kelley and Hampton on nearly every running play directed to his side. On the Chargers’ opening drive—a 10-play, 75-yard march that ended with a Kelley touchdown—Salyer delivered two crucial blocks: first, he drove Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols three yards off the line of scrimmage to open a gap for Kelley’s 12-yard gain, then he sealed the edge on a Hampton sweep to pick up a key third-and-2. For the game, Salyer graded out at 90.5 in run blocking (per PFF), with 11 “win blocks” (blocks that directly created positive yardage) and zero missed assignments. “Jamaree was a bulldozer in the run game,” said Chargers offensive line coach Phil Rauscher. “He didn’t just block his man—he dominated him. Every time we ran to his side, we knew we had a chance to pick up big yards. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s exactly what we needed to control the clock against the Raiders.” The Chargers finished the game with 168 rushing yards—their highest total since Week 9—and averaged 5.2 yards per carry, a stark improvement over their season average of 4.1.

A second defining aspect of Salyer’s performance was his lockdown pass protection, which kept Herbert clean and allowed the Chargers to execute their passing game without disruption. The Raiders came into the game with one of the NFL’s most fearsome pass rushes, led by defensive end Maxx Crosby (14 sacks on the season), and they targeted Salyer early, hoping to exploit a perceived mismatch. But Salyer held his own, shutting down Crosby on all 12 of their one-on-one matchups and not allowing a single pressure, hit, or sack. On a critical third-and-10 in the third quarter—with the Chargers leading by 3 points and facing a Raiders blitz—Salyer quickly identified Crosby’s rush path, adjusted his stance, and anchored down, giving Herbert 3.8 seconds to find Davante Adams for a 22-yard completion that extended the drive. Later, in the fourth quarter, Salyer thwarted a Raiders stunt (a defensive play where two rushers switch positions) by seamlessly picking up backup defensive end Malcolm Koonce, preventing a potential sack and allowing Herbert to throw a 15-yard pass to Mike Williams. “Jamaree’s pass protection was nothing short of elite,” Herbert said after the game. “The Raiders were sending everything at us—blitzes, stunts, twists—and he handled it all. I never felt rushed back there, which let me take my time and make the right throws. That kind of trust in your offensive line is invaluable.” Salyer’s pass protection grade of 92.1 (per PFF) was the highest by any guard in the NFL that week, and it helped the Chargers convert 7 of 12 third-down attempts—well above their season average of 42%.

Jamaree Salyer's Performance in the Los Angeles Chargers Win also includes his role in the game’s most critical drive, a 12-play, 80-yard march in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for the Los Angeles Chargers. With the score tied at 20-20 and 6:42 left in the game, the Chargers needed a sustained drive to take the lead—and Salyer was the engine that made it happen. On the first play of the drive, he drove Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins into the backfield, creating a gap for Kelley to rush for 8 yards. On third-and-5 two plays later, he picked up a Raiders blitz, giving Herbert time to hit Williams for a 10-yard completion. But his most impactful play came on a fourth-and-1 from the Raiders’ 3-yard line: Salyer lined up against Crosby, engaged him at the line of scrimmage, and drove him backward, creating a clear path for Kelley to plunge into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. “That fourth-and-1 block was the play of the game,” Rauscher said. “Jamaree knew the Raiders were going to send their best pass rusher at him, and he dominated the rep. It takes a lot of courage and skill to do what he did in that moment—especially against a player like Crosby. For the Los Angeles Chargers, that play wasn’t just a touchdown; it was a statement that we’re still in this playoff race.” The drive lasted 5:18, chewing up valuable clock and preventing the Raiders from having enough time to mount a comeback—something the Chargers had struggled with in close games earlier in the season.

Another notable part of Salyer’s performance was his adaptability, which allowed him to adjust to the Raiders’ defensive schemes and keep the Chargers’ offense on track for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders spent the game switching between a 4-3 and 3-4 defense, often shifting their linemen and blitzing from unexpected angles to confuse the Chargers’ offensive line. But Salyer remained calm, quickly identifying the Raiders’ formations and communicating adjustments to his fellow linemen. On one play in the second quarter, the Raiders sent a cornerback blitz from Salyer’s side; he recognized the blitz before the snap, signaled to center Corey Linsley, and shifted his position to pick up the rusher, preventing a potential sack. On another play, the Raiders used a “tackle-end twist” (where the defensive tackle and end switch positions) to try to catch Salyer off guard; he anticipated the twist, stayed with his assignment, and still managed to block both players long enough for Herbert to throw a completion. “Jamaree’s football IQ is off the charts,” Linsley said. “He’s not just a physical player—he’s a student of the game. He studies film of opposing defenses every night, and it shows on the field. When the Raiders started switching up their schemes, he was the one keeping us organized. For the Los Angeles Chargers, having a player like that on the offensive line is a game-changer. He makes everyone around him better.” Salyer’s adaptability was particularly important given that the Chargers were missing two backup offensive linemen due to injury, forcing the starters to play nearly every snap.

Finally, Jamaree Salyer's Performance in the Los Angeles Chargers Win wraps up with the long-term implications of his breakout game for the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line and their playoff aspirations. Before Week 14, Salyer had been a solid contributor but had yet to emerge as a true standout—something the Chargers had been waiting for since drafting him in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His performance against the Raiders changed that, establishing him as a cornerstone of the offensive line and giving the Chargers a much-needed boost of confidence in their ability to win close games. “Jamaree’s game against the Raiders was a coming-out party,” general manager Tom Telesco said. “We always knew he had the talent to be a top-tier guard, but he needed that one game to put it all together. Now that he’s found that level of consistency, he’s going to be a key part of our offense for years to come. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this couldn’t have come at a better time—we’re in the middle of a playoff push, and we need every player to step up. Jamaree didn’t just step up; he carried us.” Looking ahead, Salyer’s performance could also impact the Chargers’ offseason plans: instead of prioritizing guard in free agency or the draft, they can now focus on other positions of need, like defensive tackle or wide receiver. As the Chargers prepare for their final two regular-season games, Salyer’s performance against the Raiders serves as a reminder of what this team is capable of when their key players rise to the occasion. Jamaree Salyer's Performance in the Los Angeles Chargers Win ultimately shows that in the NFL, sometimes the most unlikely players become the most important—and for the Chargers, Salyer’s breakout game might just be the spark that propels them to the playoffs.