The Chargers will look to get on the winning side of things on Sunday when they take on the Raiders.
It will be the first of two matchups between these bitter rivals. Los Angeles enters the contest as heavy favorites, but after their Week 1 debacle, that means nothing to the team and fans.
A new week is here, and the Chargers have a golden opportunity to get back on track.
With Week 2 serving as a critical matchup for Los Angeles, here are the five Chargers players to watch.
Quentin Johnston
Johnston has a chance to get more opportunities, with Ladd McConkey not playing at 100%. It was more of the same for Johnston in Week 1, as he collected only two catches for 17 yards. The offense dried up severely after McConkey was ruled out. They dropped from 7.14 yards per
play to 3.12 yards per play for the rest of the game. That cannot happen under any circumstances. Johnston and the offense need to bounce back in a big way.
Omarion Hampton
Hampton had a stellar and strong nine-yard touchdown in Week 1. After that, it was a whole lot of nothing. Hampton will have his hands full as the Raiders held Dolphins running back De'Von Achane to 36 rushing yards. The Cardinals held Hampton to 43 rushing yards, and he also fumbled the ball. The 23-year-old and the running game need to be better, point blank.
Genesis Smith
The rookie safety had a solid and encouraging debut in his NFL debut. Smith played 27 snaps and finished with five tackles (four solo). The safety entered the league with concerns about his open-field tackling, but after Week 1, he showed clear signs of improvement. If Smith can mimic that play or surpass it in Week 2, the Chargers may have found their next secondary star.
Daiyan Henley
Henley faces a major test against Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. The Chargers' defense was abysmal in Week 1, giving up nearly 400 yards to the Cardinals. Henley and the rest of the unit will have a chance at redemption in Week 2. Las Vegas will likely look to establish Jeanty once again, putting plenty of responsibility on Henley and the Chargers' linebackers to slow down the Raiders' ground game.
Jake Slaughter
The Chargers had major protection issues in Week 1, with the interior offensive line remaining a lingering concern. While the guard spots are worrisome, Slaughter will be tasked with slowing down a Chargers front that recorded five sacks against the Dolphins. The rookie center has been thrust into the fire and must now elevate his play in this must-win game for the Chargers.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 5 Chargers players to watch in Week 2 vs. Raiders
