Gameday: Can Raiders finally convert 'homefield advantage' in LA into win against Chargers?

Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 | 6:19 a.m. The moving gag is that, since relocating to Las Vegas, the Raiders possess an altered homefield advantage at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium compared with their own Allegiant Stadium. Metallic‑and‑white fans typically outnumber and drown out the blue‑and‑gold contingent when the Silver and Black travel to SoFi for their annual AFC West showdown with the Chargers. Yet that edge has not translated into much success for Las Vegas. The Raiders have lost five straight games to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi, with their sole victory since the franchise’s move coming in a 31‑26 contest in 2020. There is no better moment than now for the Raiders to give their Southern California faithful something to cheer for as they face the Chargers at 1:05 p.m. today. The game will air on KLAS‑TV, CBS Channel 8, and be broadcast on Raider Nation Radio, 920 AM. After Week 1, the two squads are headed in opposite directions. The Raiders looked crisp and detail‑oriented in a 27‑13 triumph over the Miami Dolphins. New head coach Klint Kubiak’s playcalling stood out as one of the most impressive facets of that victory. Conversely, the Chargers posted a sloppy, mistake‑filled performance in a 26‑14 upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The relationship between third‑year head coach Jim Harbaugh and newly hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel faltered in the opening game, with the two failing to mesh effectively. “Chunk it deep.” -Kubiak connected however the Raiders tin adhd much explosiveness to their discourtesy aft lone having 1 play spell for much than 20 yards against the Dolphins “The past is the past. We’re moving forward. We’re not disquieted astir what happened past year. This is simply a caller team, caller staff, and we’re gathering a caller civilization here. And that’s a civilization that’s going to triumph shot games.” -Running backmost Ashton Jeanty connected what the season-opening play triumph says astir the Raiders’ direction “It’s rewarding proving the beforehand bureau close for them wanting to travel get me.” -Paye connected his feelings aft a breakout show successful the archetypal crippled connected a caller three-year, $48 cardinal declaration that immoderate criticized arsenic an overpay by the Raiders “I really person a go-to bid I’m not precise arrogant of. If I’m truly hungry, and I did this successful August connected an off-day, I had 3 three-by-three (burgers). I don’t get onions, but past I besides get fries, and don’t usually bash a shake. That’s astur apt the 1 subject I have. Yeah, I tin enactment down a batch of In-N-Out burgers.” -Raiders backmost Kirk Cousins connected the nutrient of prime for his postgame repast successful Las Vegas aft establishing a fast-food contented astatine erstwhile stops of his career The Chargers enter this matchup as a 6.5‑point favorite, with the over/under set at 43.5 points. Nonetheless, the contest now looks more competitive than it did before the season began. **Favorable matchup: Raiders’ defensive line vs. Chargers’ interior offensive line** Kubiak was not the Raiders’ only promising coaching debut last Sunday at Allegiant; defensive coordinator Rob Leonard also thrived in his first‑year regular‑season game, taking command of his unit. Players and analysts praised Leonard’s playcalling, especially along the defensive line. The Raiders recorded five sacks and 16 pressures, ranking third in the NFL in pass rush through one week according to Pro Football Focus. Free‑agent acquisition Kwity Paye led the charge with two sacks and eight pressures, many coming from stunts and odd‑angle rushes at the line of scrimmage—a tactic that could trouble the Chargers. Unlike last season, the Chargers’ starting tackle duo of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater remains intact, but two interior starters are sidelined with injuries. The makeshift center‑guard trio of Jake Slaughter, Cole Strange and Kayode Awosika struggled mightily against the Cardinals, ranking as the NFL’s worst interior blocking unit through week one per PFF. **Problematic matchup: Chargers’ edge rusher Khalil Mack vs. Raiders’ offensive line** The Khalil Mack curse persists for at least another year. The former Raiders edge rusher, traded in 2018, has regularly tormented his old club since winning Defensive Player of the Year two years prior. Mack owns a 7‑3 record against Las Vegas with 13 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 35‑year‑old contemplated retirement this offseason but ultimately signed a one‑year deal to remain with the Chargers. He posted a quiet outing against the Cardinals, yet the Raiders have a tendency to bring out his best. Mack will likely be matched against a vulnerable spot on the Raiders’ offensive line; third‑year right tackle DJ Glaze will primarily be tasked with slowing him. Glaze showed promise as a rookie before bottoming out as one of the league’s worst tackles last season. He rebounded with a solid performance versus the Dolphins but must prove it was more than a one‑week wonder. Mack will not make the task easy. **Gamebreaker: Wide receiver Malik Benson** Let’s dig deeper this week in multiple ways. The rookie sixth‑round pick from Oregon is a long shot to make an impact against the Chargers, having logged only seven offensive snaps—sixth among receivers—versus the Dolphins. However, in the snaps he did play, Benson was a significant part of Kirk Cousins’ progressions and usually lined up far downfield. Kubiak appears keen to vertically stretch the passing game versus the Chargers, not solely to chase explosive plays but also to assess the 38‑year‑old Cousins’ ability in that area. Benson has established himself as the deep threat on the Raiders’ roster for now. Starters Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor are capable of making downfield plays, but that has not been their focus dating back to training camp. They are working the full route tree, while