Las Vegas Raiders Defense Held the Los Angeles Chargers

The Las Vegas Raiders did not blow the lead when leading by 14 points.

The Las Vegas Raiders (5-7) defense prevailed in the second meeting against divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers (6-6).

In their Week 13 game on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Raiders defense helped keep the offense in the game, after a few miscues that put the Chargers ahead early.

As the offense began to click, it was the defense that stepped up and gave the Raiders the spark they needed.

Cornerback Nate Hobbs’ return was enormous and exactly what the Raiders needed on Sunday.

Hobbs led the team with eight tackles and scooped up a fumble that was forced by defensive end Maxx Crosby.

Crosby forced his third fumble of the season, most in the NFL among defensive linemen and tied for the third most in the NFL among all defenders.

Defensive end Chandler Jones displayed his best performance as a Raider. His three sacks on Sunday were a single-game season high for a Raiders defender this season.

DE Chandler Jones notches his third sack of the day, a single-game season high for a #Raiders defender.

Jones has recorded 3.0 sacks or more in 5 games since entering the league in 2012, tied for the fifth most in the NFL over that span.

— Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) December 4, 2022

To say the least, it was a bit of a relief to see the defense stop opposing teams from retaking the lead and winning the game late.

The Raiders led by as much as 14-points in the second half, and didn’t come close to knocking the front door from there.

We all know their Week 2, 29-23 overtime loss against the Arizona Cardinals came after leading by 20 points at the half.

In Week 5, the Raiders went to Arrowhead and led, 17-0, in the second quarter, before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-29.

In Week 9, the Raiders blew their third 17-point lead, and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20.

Once on a three-game losing streak, the Silver and Black find themselves turning the franchise around and winning three straight.

The Raiders will have to turn the page quickly and get ready for their next game as they take a short trip to Los Angeles to take on the Rams on Thursday Night Football at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Game time will start off at 8:15 p.m. EST/5:15 p.m. PST and can be seen on Amazon Prime.

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