Kimani Vidal broke free on a go-ahead 59-yard touchdown run early in the second half and the Los Angeles Chargers finished off a run-oriented 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.
Justin Herbert completed 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns with an interception while playing through a left hand injury as the Chargers (8-4) returned from their bye week with their fourth victory in the past five games.
Vidal gained 126 yards on 25 carries, while Jaret Patterson had 54 yards on 11 carries with a score. Overall, the Chargers ran the ball 43 times for 192 yards.
Geno Smith completed 18 of 23 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with an interception for the Raiders, who were playing their first game since offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was fired and replaced by Greg Olson. Las Vegas finished with 156 yards of total offense.
Brock Bowers had four receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns for Las Vegas.
The Raiders (2-10) saw their losing streak extend to six games and have lost 10 of 11 since a season-opening victory. They also dropped their 10th consecutive game to an AFC West opponent, going back to last season.
The Chargers took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 10-yard scoring pass from Herbert to Quentin Johnston. Herbert injured his left hand on the drive and briefly went to the locker room.
Los Angeles was in the red zone twice in the second quarter but failed to score due to a Herbert interception near the goal line shortly after his return, and a turnover on downs at the Raiders’ 18-yard line.
Las Vegas tied the score 7-7 with just less than two minutes remaining in the first half when Bowers caught a 6-yard TD pass.
Vidal broke free on his 59-yard TD run on the third play of the second half for a 14-7 lead. The Chargers added a 7-yard TD reception from Ladd McConkey for a 21-7 lead late in the third quarter.
A 56-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker put Los Angeles up 24-7 on the second play of the fourth quarter.
The Raiders got within 24-14 on a 6-yard TD catch by Bowers with 7:49 remaining for his second multi-TD game of the season. Patterson scored the Chargers’ final touchdown on a 2-yard run just after the two-minute warning.
–Field Level Media
