The Bolts lead the AFC West after Week 2.
After knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil in Week 1, the LA Chargers returned to the States to beat the Raiders 20-9 in Las Vegas in Week 2.
Back-to-back division wins to start the season is nothing to be sniffed at.
On all sides of the ball, the Chargers look like the most complete unit since their last playoff win back in 2019 – arguably longer.
At the centre of all things good on offense is Justin Herbert. After the win over the Chiefs, I was sure to give him the credit he deserved.
And while Herbert had far from a bad game against the Raiders in Week 2, it is time to give the defense their moment.
The guardians of victory
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh described the defense as the “guardians of victory” during his post-game press conference.
They could not have started any better. Only the very first snap of the game, safety Alohi Gilman tipped a pass that was intercepted by Daiyan Henley. More on him in a moment.
That was the first of three interceptions on the night. And while I say night, I mean morning. Respect to any fans this side of the pond who stayed up for the Raiders–Chargers game, which kicked off at 3:00am UK time.
Tony Jefferson and Donte Jackson got the other two picks, though Derwin James Jr. deserves a huge slice of the credit for tipping the ball to Jefferson for the third and final interception.
The only negative on defense for the Chargers was an arm injury to Khalil Mack. A lot was made in the build-up to the season about the team wanting to get Mack a Super Bowl ring before he retires.
We will wait on the prognosis of the injury, but I do not expect Mack to be suited up for at least a few weeks. With Mack sidelined, Bud Dupree stepped up to excellent effect in Las Vegas. He will need to continue doing so if Mack misses time.
In the end, the Bolts held Geno Smith and company to just nine points and no touchdowns in their own back yard.
Now, can the Chargers complete the sweep of AFC West wins when they take on the Denver Broncos in Week 3?
Henley making All Pro claims
Now to the star of the show: Daiyan Henley.
Take nothing away from the usual stars of the defense. Derwin James Jr. and Khalil Mack – pre-injury – both started the season as you would expect, making big play after big play.
This is also not to undermine the efforts of the likes of Da’Shawn Hand, Teiar Tart, Jamaree Caldwell and Tuli Tuipulotu, who have all flashed in the first couple of weeks.
But Henley has been the pick of the bunch.
The Chargers linebacker is the only player in the NFL through two weeks with an interception and multiple sacks.
In total, Henley has 18 tackles, two sacks and a pick after two games. Only three players have accounted for more loss of yards as a result of sacks so far in 2025.
The remarkable thing about Henley’s performance against the Raiders is that he was questionable to play through illness. In the post-game videos, the ever-chatty Henley looked more reserved, as he was dealing with his illness.
Henley’s performance was epitomised late in the fourth quarter as he chased down Geno Smith, forcing an incompletion on fourth down to seal the game.
As a result, the Chargers are 2-0 and top of the AFC West. While all signs are pointing up currently, expectations should not get out of control. We are only two weeks into the season after all.
But if you do not trust this biased Chargers fan’s opinion, listen to Tom Brady. He now has the Bolts fourth in the NFL power rankings.
