Raiders Opponent Breakout Player: Safety Alohi Gilman

The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for another divisional showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers as they travel to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., this Sunday.

The Raiders are back on the road to take on a Chargers team that has played well this season, but has played in some close games that they have lost. They picked up their first victory of the season in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.

These two teams always play exciting games, and Sunday could be another good match-up between these two AFC West opponents.

Each year, new players put themselves on the map with breakout seasons. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, a new face will emerge as a quality starter and productive player.

This is the case for Chargers’ starting safety Alohi Gilman, who put himself on the radar last season after posting 58 tackles, three passes defended and an interception. Gilman continued to earn snaps towards the end of the 2022 season, and has started all three games in 2023.

Gilman was a sixth-round selection of the Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. In his career, he has posted 129 tackles, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Gilman, 26, had an impressive game against the Vikings in Week 3. He flew around all over the field, making winning plays for the Chargers in a game in which they desperately needed to come out on top.

One of his most notable plays was in the first quarter when he ripped away a catch from tight end T.J. Hockenson for an interception. That led to a touchdown drive for the Chargers’ offense.

Gilman and Derwin James have formed one of the top safety duos in the NFL since Gilman’s emergence, and if James’ injury keeps him out of the game on Sunday, Gilman will have to step up even more and capitalize on his breakout season.

The Raiders have turned the ball over seven times this season, and they will need to cut down on these numbers as they take on Gilman and the Chargers defense. Gilman can cause problems for the Raiders if they do not manage to keep the ball away from him.

The Silver and Black return to the road this week in Inglewood, Calif., to play the Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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