The Chargers fell to 0-2 after a mistake-riddled loss to the Raiders.
Multiple crucial sequences and self-inflicted wounds shifted the game heavily in the Raiders' favor, particularly in the second half.
Here are the most critical plays that defined the matchup.
The disastrous late fumble
With the Raiders holding onto a 17-14 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Chargers' offense had successfully crossed midfield and was driving to tie or win the game. After catching a huge break when a Raiders fourth-down penalty for having 12 men on the field gave LA a fresh set of downs, running back Omarion Hampton took a handoff on the very next play. Linebacker Nakobe Dean stripped the ball out of Hampton's hands, and Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn scooped it up, returning it 43 yards
to the Chargers' 16-yard line. This play snuffed out any comeback momentum.
Take it on the Chinn 😏#LVvsLAC | 📺 Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/djdug7v0sP
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 20, 2026
Cody White's dagger touchdown
Immediately after Chinn's fumble recovery, quarterback Kirk Cousins led a quick, three-play, 43-second drive. On the final play of the sequence, Cousins found wide receiver Cody White for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers' defense bit hard on a play-action fake. White faked a block at the line of scrimmage, causing the defense to completely lose track of him. He slipped into the end zone entirely uncovered for a wide-open touchdown catch. White's score extended the Raiders' lead to 24-14 with under four minutes remaining, putting the game out of reach for the Chargers.
Kirk Cousins finds Cody White in the end zone for the second time today 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/y2dIEVHxaC
The miscommunication play
Early in the second half, the Chargers held a brief 14-10 lead after Justin Herbert threw a 10-yard touchdown to tight end Oronde Gadsden II. However, the operation quickly fell apart. On a crucial third-and-inches, Herbert went to motion receiver Tre' Harris. Rookie center Jake Slaughter snapped the ball prematurely, catching Harris completely off-guard as he was running behind the line of scrimmage. The ball ricocheted off Harris' leg. Though Herbert jumped on it to prevent a turnover, it resulted in a 4-yard loss, killing a vital offensive drive and turning the game's momentum back over to the Raiders.
Third down and inches, Chargers in shotgun, down 17–14 in the third quarter.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 21, 2026
Snap comes with a second left on the play clock, Tre’ Harris gets hit, and Justin Herbert is as pissed as I’ve ever seen him.
Outburst continued after the video ended and he walked to the sideline.… pic.twitter.com/z0DT7D1URW
Busted coverage allows Tre Tucker to break free
During the second quarter, the Raiders broke open a scoreless tie thanks to a glaring mistake by the Chargers' secondary. Rookie safety Genesis Smith misread his coverage assignment. The two deep safeties failed to communicate, leaving the deepest middle portion of the field completely exposed and wide open. Cousins launched a deep pass to Tucker for a 40-yard touchdown.
Kirk Cousins with a rocket to Tre Tucker for a Raiders TD 🚀
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YztxEx5znr
Late end zone safety
To seal the victory, the Chargers' pass protection collapsed in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Offensive tackle Joe Alt struggled heavily with Maxx Crosby throughout the game and was flagged for holding Crosby in the end zone. The penalty caused an automatic safety, tacking on two extra points for the Raiders and sealing the 26-14 score.
Maxx draws a hold and safety to close the game out. Chargers are cooked pic.twitter.com/6LDeJMhjE2
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 20, 2026
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 5 most important plays from Chargers' loss to the Raiders
