Raiders vs. Chargers: Week 2 Live Game Thread

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to get off on the right foot within the AFC West in their Week 2 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Aug 27, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) walks on the field after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Las Vegas Raiders have gotten off to poor starts each of the past three seasons. Sunday's road matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers gives them an immediate chance to do the opposite in Klint Kubiak's first season at the helm.

The Raiders' Week 1 victory over the Miami Dolphins gave reason to hope this season will be different. However, hope is a fleeting feeling in the National Football League. The Raiders will have to elevate their game beyond an impressive Week 1 win.

The Raiders showed marked improvement in Week 1 from the final game of the 2025 season. Still, they have much bigger hopes and plans than any one regular-season win can measure at the moment. Sunday is another chance for the Raiders to take the next step.

After Week 1, Las Vegas will not catch the Chargers off guard. Kubiak knows the Chargers will give his team a chance to show how far they have come since last season. Still, Kubiak believes that although he will learn a lot about his team on Sunday, learning in itself is constant.

“You learn something new every day in practice. You learn something new during the games. It's a lot more stress going on. You learn a lot about your coaches too,” Kubiak said before practice earlier this week. 

“You learn about your training staff, your strength staff. You learn about everybody in this pressure cooker that we work in, and that's what makes the NFL so fun. So yes, there's a tough stretch coming up because that's what the NFL is, but we just try to look one game at a time."

Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Las Vegas has an uphill battle, but they also have nothing to lose. They entered the season with their own expectations to meet regardless of Sunday's outcome. The Raiders have put in the work this offseason, building up their roster and coaching staff.

Week 2 will be tough for the Raiders, as they enter an extremely difficult stretch of games. Coincidentally, Los Angeles is one of the few teams in the league with a tougher slate of games than Las Vegas.

Sep 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks onto the field during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Los Angeles will do all they can to win on Sunday and avoid going 0-2 before a daunting stretch of their own.

Be sure to follow along with our live game thread during the contest.

Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes the ball past Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still (29) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

START OF THE FIRST QUARTER

PENALTY-Holding on Raiders offense

TURNOVER- Cousins throws interception.

TURNOVER- Herbert throws interception.

Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

TURNOVER: Raiders turn the ball over on downs on the Chargers 2-yard line.

PENALTY: False start on Chargers offense.

PENALTY: False start on Chargers offense. Second in a row.

Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

START OF SECOND QUARTER

PENALTY: False start on Michael Mayer.

SCORING UPDATE No.1: Raiders score touchdown on 40-yard pass from Cousins to Tre Tucker. Raiders lead 7-0.

PENALTY: Holding on Chargers' offense.

SCORING UPDATE No. 2: Chargers score a touchdown. Tie game, 7-7.

SCORING UPDATE No. 3: Raiders connect on a 59-yard field goal. Raiders lead 10-7.

HALFTIME

Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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It is unlikely that the first half could have realistically gone much better for the Raiders. They kept an explosive Chargers' offense under wraps, holding to only seven points. Las Vegas has played decently well on both sides of the ball, but the Chargers are sure to make adjustments.

After initially doing a good job against the run, Las Vegas' defense must do a better job of stopping the run, as Los Angeles has already rushed for 95 yards. The Raiders will get the ball to start the second half.

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START OF THE THIRD QUARTER

SCORING UPDATE No. 4: Chargers score a touchdown. Chargers lead 14-10.

PENALTY: False start on Tyler Linderbaum.

Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart (93) pressures Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

SCORING UPDATE No. 5: Raiders score a touchdown on a 13-yard reception. Raiders lead 17-14.

PENALTY: Illegal hands to the face against the Chargers defense on third down. Automatic first down for the Raiders.

PENALTY: Holding on Chargers offense.

PENALTY: Defensive pass interference one Hezekiah Masses.

PENALTY: False start on the Chargers' offense.

Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is hit by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Nick Barrett (91) as he throws during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

PENALTY: Too many men on the field on the Raiders' defense.

TURNOVER: Chargers fumble the ball. Raiders recover and return the ball to the Chargers' 16-yard line.

SCORING UPDATE No. 6: Raiders score a touchdown on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to White. Raiders lead 24-14. Less than three minutes left to go in the game.