Chargers vs. Raiders: Instant Grades and Analysis for San Diego's Week 1 Game

The San Diego Chargers traveled into Oakland and beat the Raiders 22-14. The score indicates a much closer game compared to what actually occurred. The Chargers dominated every aspect of the game. If it wasn't for their red zone troubles the score could of been much worse. 

After a tight first quarter, the Chargers pulled away from the Raiders after a nearly perfect second quarter. Philip Rivers showed that he has shaken off last years troubles and looked much better than he did in 2011.

Philip Rivers, QB

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Final Grade: B+ 

Philip Rivers had a great game stat wise. He did not commit any turnovers and played well despite an offensive line that struggled to give him ample protection all night. Would of been an "A" if the offense could of put the in the end zone on their trips to the red zone. Rivers looks poised to have to fantastic 2012. 

Final Stats: 24/33 231 yards 1 TD 0 INT

4th Quarter: A

Philip managed the game well in the fourth quarter. Nothing fantastic but it got the job done. He is not the reason that the Chargers struggled in the red zone but he could of put the balls in better areas.

4th Quarter Stats: 4/10 45 yards 0 TD 0 INT 

3rd Quarter: B

Rivers had another strong quarter but it would have been nice to get more points out of the red zone trips. 

3rd Quarter Stats: 6/9 48 yards 0 TD 0 INT

Second Quarter: A+ 

Philip Rivers was basically perfect in the second quarter. Picked apart the Raider defense at will as the Chargers marched down the field and Rivers threw a beautiful pass to Malcom Floyd for the touchdown. 

2nd Quarter Stats: 8/9 73 yards 1 TD 0 INT

First Quarter: B- 

Had trouble dropping back to pass with his offensive line struggling so far but Rivers looked fantastic on his pass to Robert Meachem. Missed on open receivers in the red zone on passes to Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates in the end zone. 

Overall not horrible, but it would have been nice to get more points on the last Charger drive of the quarter. 

1st Quarter Stats: 4/7 65 yards 0 TDs 0 INT

Offense

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Final Grade: B-

The running game was absolutely terrible all night. The Chargers posted just 32 yards on the ground. The offensive line struggled opening holes and Ronnie Brown and Curtis Brinkley showed that Ryan Mathews will be missed. The red zone offense was horrible, which was caused by the one dimensional offense that the Chargers were forced to play. The offensive line and Mathews need to get healthy in order to turn the offense into an unstoppable force.

Fourth Quarter: C+ 

The Chargers need to improve their red zone struggles. They struggled once again in the fourth quarter but it was nice to see them move the ball all game long. 

Third Quarter: B 

The offensive moved the bell well, except for in the red zone. Two trips to the red zones, which only resulted in six points. Other than the two stalls in the red zones, Philip and company looked great. The running game still struggled but looked better than the first half.

Second Quarter: A

The passing game looks perfect. However the running game is absolutely awful. The offensive line is doing its best just to give Rivers enough time to get rid of the ball which is exactly what the Chargers need. The receivers are doing a fantastic job at getting opening and Rivers is finding them. They look unstoppable right now.

First Quarter: C+ 

The offensive line struggled for the whole first quarter. Rivers looked uncomfortable but found enough time to complete a deep pass to Robert Meachem. Eddie Royal leads the team rushing with one carry for 11 yards. Gates and Floyd need to be more involved heading into the second quarter.

Defense

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Final Grade: A- 

The Chargers defense dominated this game. After the first couple of series the defense locked down and smothered any play that the Raiders attempted to run. The Pass defense was solid all night and the rush defense did a fantastic job keying in on Darren McFadden. Overall, it was a fantastic first game for the Chargers' defense. 

Fourth Quarter: B 

The Chargers looked decent in the fourth quarter. They struggled on comeback routes and it was frustrating to see the Chargers play off receivers and watch them make easy catches again and again.

Third Quarter: A

The defense looked tremendous in the third quarter. They swarmed McFadden and locked down the Raider receivers just like they have all night.

Second Quarter: B 

The pass defense has been incredible for the Chargers so far. The Chargers have down a decent job contain Darren McFadden. If the Chargers can lock him up in the second half the Chargers should win this game with ease. Excellent stand at the end of the quarter. The Chargers defense will bend but they won't break. 

First Quarter: C

The defense looked decent in the first quarter but once again struggled on third down, which is disappointing. Only allowed a field goal, which was encouraging that they came up big when their backs were against the wall. 

Special Teams

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Final Grade: A

The best the Chargers have looked on special teams in quite some time. Keyed in on the mistakes that were made by Oakland, which helped the punt coverage dominate the game. Nate Kaeding was perfect on all of his field goal attempts. Much like the defense it was encouraging to see improvements made from last year.

Fourth Quarter: A

Dominated on punt coverage again due to the Raiders lack of long snapping. Kaeding remained perfect on the night on field goals. Overall, a great showing for the Chargers. 

Third Quarter: A+ 

The best the special team unit has looked in years. It helps when the Raiders don't have a long snapper and the Chargers took full advantage of the short handed Raiders. 

Second Quarter: B+

So far no mistakes, which is exactly what the Chargers need. 

First Quarter: A

Nate Kaeding made his one short field goal attempt, which was the end to a long offensive drive. Kick coverage was solid, which is exactly what Charger fans have been looking for. 

Coaching

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Final Grade: B-

Did Norv Turner make Charger fans happy that he was retained last January? No. But he showed that despite injuries all over the field, the team was ready to play. The red zone play calling was questionable and it resulted in missed opportunities and points off the board something that the Chargers won't be able to do against the better teams on their schedule.

Fourth Quarter: B

A solid quarter for the coaching staff. The defense looked good and the passing game looked unstoppable.

Third Quarter: B+ 

The Chargers looked much better than they did in the first half on both sides of the ball. Norv Turner needs to get his red zone play calling down. Later on in the season the Chargers aren't going to be able to leave points off the board. 

Second Quarter: B+

Excellent play calling on the touchdown drive. Norv seems to have the team ready to play, which is what has plagued the Chargers during the entire Norv Turner era. 

First Quarter: B

Solid first quarter for Norv and company. The play calling was decent, the Chargers need to provide more time for Philip to get the ball down field to all the weapons that the Chargers have.