Raiders Opponent Rookie Spotlight: Tuli Tuipulotu

The Las Vegas Raiders will face off with the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, getting their first look at the Chargers' impressive rookie pass rusher, Tuli Tuipulotu.

The Las Vegas Raiders will take on another divisional opponent on the road this Sunday when they travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers for the first time this season.

The Raiders and Chargers currently hold a 1-2 records, with the Raiders dropping their second straight game and the Chargers winning their first of the season in Week 3.

These two AFC West opponents always deliver exciting games against each other, and Sunday has a chance to be another.

The Chargers have struggled so far on defense this season, allowing the second-most yards per game in the league and the most passing yards. Despite some of the elite talent they have on that side of the ball, Defensive Coordinator Derrick Ansley’s unit has not been as good as they expected to be.

However, there is one rookie on the Chargers who has been exceeding expectations and thriving: edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. The second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft out of USC has burst onto the scene with 13 total pressures, three quarterback hits and five sacks through three games.

Tulipulotu, a 6-foot-3, 266-pound edge rusher, was a unanimous First-Team All-American and two-time First-Team All-Pac 12 selection. His size and versatility as an edge defender gives him the ability to play in any front.

Tulipulotu wins with strength and quickness. In Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, he posted nine total pressures and had three sacks. He leads all rookies in sacks and has made an early Defensive Rookie of the Year case for himself.

The Raiders must be aware of Tulipulotu’s ability to win as an edge rusher and an interior rusher. He can line up out wide and as a 3-technique on the inside, and consistently generate pressure. Despite the Chargers having Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, Tulipulotu has found a way to be a contributor early on in his rookie season.

The Raiders offensive line was decimated by the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, and they will need to have a stronger showing against the Chargers if they want to avoid dropping a third straight game.

This means finding a way to slow down the impressive rookie Tulipulotu, although no team has through the first few weeks of the season.

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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