The final game of Week One is underway in Oakland, and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is off to a strong start.
On a 90-yard scoring drive that took up more than half of the second quarter, Rivers went 8-of-9 for 73 yards and led the Chargers into the end zone, hitting receiver Malcom Floyd on a six-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers lead 10-6 at halftime.
Rivers has already spread the ball around to seven different receivers, and the Chargers are clearly going to be a pass-first offense as long as running back Ryan Mathews is out with a broken collarbone. The Chargers’ two healthy running backs, Ronnie Brown and Curtis Brinkley, have combined for four yards on six carries.
Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer has been throwing mostly short, safe passes, and the Raiders’ only scores were field goals from Sebastian Janikowski. They’ll need more than that to catch the Chargers, especially if the Raiders’ defense can’t do something to stop Rivers.