The Union-Tribune’s Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Sunday’s 34-20 win over the Raiders in Las Vegas:

Quarterbacks: A

The Chargers played without having to worry about the inactive Maxx Crosby’s furious rush. Justin Herbert missed a sure TD early to D.J. Chark, but then found DJ for a TD. Had a beautiful TD pass to Derius Davis called back. He threw for 225 first-half yards, 346 total. The problem early was getting into the end zone against a four-win team. Running again, Herbert made a 41-yard sprint inside the Vegas 5, leading to a short TD pass to Will Dissly.

Running backs: B

Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins’ serviceable backup, sat this one out in the nurse’s office. Dobbins came off with a knee issue late in the first quarter, but returned and ran hard and well when given the chance. Hassan Haskins had a short TD run; he has become a talented sub.

Receivers: A

Josh Palmer was excused. Quentin Johnston had his coming-out party: He got open on a 39-yard second-series catch. He had nine catches for 117 yards before the half and finished with 13 catches for 186 yards. Rookie Ladd McConkey caught a perfect 39-yarder, then a 22-yarder (also a 2-pointer).

Offensive line: C+

Rawshawn Slater, the Pro Bowl tackle, put on inactive overalls with knee soreness. Joe Alt moved to LT and RG Trey Pipkins to RT, where he has experience — not all of it good (his hold nullified a TD). He left on a cart with an oblique injury, but later returned. Alt also moved illegally at a bad time. Nobody did anything on a sack that stopped a drive.

Defensive line: B

Not much to worry about vs. the run, because Vegas wasn’t very interested (12 attempts). Teair Tart had an untimely hold.

Linebackers: C+

Not much in the rush department, but there was some pressure. Daiyan Henley, now a major factor, had a big pick just before the half, setting up the first TD.

Secondary: C

Kristian Fulton got beaten badly for a TD by Jacoby Myers, who — with nine catches for 123 yards — seemingly played under the name of Jerry Rice. Safety Alohi Gilman got himself erased from the IR list and started. Derwin James had a TFL, then a hold that nullified a sack.

Special teams: A-

Steady Cameron Dicker The Kicker missed his first field goal try, a 51-yarder, but made the three he tried prior to intermission, then one in the third. In a brain flatulence moment, Derius Davis tried to return a punt from his own 7, forcing teacher to send him to the principal’s office.

Coaching: A-

Teacher did not like Jim Harbaugh getting loose with his first-half timeouts, using two early and leaving him one for the final first-half drive. Did like him going for it on fourth-and-1. His team was sloppy and it normally isn’t that. But not with the ball. No turnovers.

Next Opportunity — at Houston in the AFC Wild-Card Game: B

Houston can be nasty, but Baltimore’s nastier, and that’s what winning this Sunday’s game meant. No worries about weather. A winnable playoff game.

Originally Published: January 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM PST