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How the Raiders Can Take Control of the AFC West in Week 2

The battle for first place in the AFC West is about to take center stage under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. Raiders versus Chargers. Two bitter rivals. One massive stage. And the entire football world will be watching as these teams collide in a showdown that could define not just this week, but the trajectory of their seasons. Allegiant Stadium is primed for a blackout, Raider Nation is ready to roar, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
On offense, all eyes turn to Gino Smith. After torching the Patriots for 362 yards and a touchdown in tough, rainy conditions, the question is whether he can take that momentum indoors and double down at home. History suggests he can. In 14 career indoor starts with Seattle, all on the road, he piled up 30 touchdowns to just five interceptions, posting an incredible 110.8 passer rating. That’s not just good — that’s elite. Monday night, he’ll need to replicate that efficiency and push the ball vertically again. Against New England, he completed nine passes of 20-plus yards. By comparison, Mahomes managed only three such plays against the Chargers last week. The directive is clear: attack deep, test the Chargers corners, and make them uncomfortable.
But while Gino is the headline, patience in the run game matters just as much. Ashton Gentry had little room to operate last week, managing only 38 rushing yards. Still, his presence matters. Even against a stingy Chargers front that allowed just 41 yards to running backs in their opener, his ability to draw defenders into the box sets up opportunities elsewhere. The Raiders need to trust the lanes to develop, hit quick screens and wheel routes, and let Gentry be a factor in space. They can’t afford to slam into loaded boxes, not with Joey Bosa revving up his pass rush in this rivalry. Neutralizing that edge threat is crucial to keep the offense balanced and keep Gino upright.