Charger Report

Chargers make NFL history by starting season with 2 division 'road' wins

The Los Angeles Chargers are only the third team since 1980 to win their first two games against divisional opponents away from home.
Richie Whitt|
Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates the win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium
Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates the win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Chargers

Good news: The Los Angeles Chargers have done something positive not achieved in the NFL since 1999.

Bad news: Last time it happened, it didn't mean a hill of beans in the big picture.

Nonetheless, the Chargers are riding high after Monday night's impressive 20-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football. Justin Herbert threw two touchdowns and Jim Harbaugh's defense was dominating in producing three interceptions and three sacks.

MORE: 4 winners & 2 losers from Chargers' Monday Night Football win over Raiders

The victory put the Chargers in rarified air. They are only the third team since 1980 to start the season with two victories away from home against divisional opponents. They beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil in Week 1 and followed it up with the win in Allegiant Stadium Monday night. Though the Chiefs game technically counts as a "home" game, Sao Paulo is most certainly not in Southern California.

MORE: Quentin Johnston TD vs. Raiders prompts NSFW reaction from Chargers' social media team

The last NFL team to start 2-0 with two road wins over divisional foes were the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1999. The only other team to turn the trick in the 45 years were the Dallas Cowboys in 1983. The Steelers ultimately shuffled through quarterbacks Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomczak on their way to 6-10. The Cowboys finiished 12-4, but didn't win the NFC East and lost a Wild Card playoff game.

The Chargers have a chance to start 3-0 and sweep the first round of AFC West games Sunday afternoon when they host the Denver Broncos in their 2025 home opener at SoFi Stadium.

Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches a 60-yard TD against the Raiders.
Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches a 60-yard TD against the Raiders. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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4 winners & 2 losers from Chargers' Monday Night Football win over Raiders

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Chargers make last-second roster moves before MNF kickoff vs. Raiders

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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