Below are three takeaways from Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback Justin Herbert, running back J.K. Dobbins and more following the Week 1 home win against the Raiders:
Dobbins shines in Bolts debut
In a tight defensive slugfest, it was J.K. Dobbins who provided the ultimate spark in the Chargers season-opening win.
The 25-year-old running back shined in his first game as a member of the Bolts, rushing the ball 10 times for 135 yards and a touchdown to go along with three catches.
He proved to be the difference maker in what was a tightly contested affair, but he made sure to credit everyone else around him that made it happen.
"Thank you to my O-line, they blocked really well for me," Dobbins said in the locker room after the game. "Thank you to all my teammates for blocking for me and thank you to the defense for having our backs in the first half.
"We're going to get better, I'm going to get better," Dobbins added.
It was a tale of two halves for both the Bolts and Dobbins.
After having just two rushes for four yards and two catches in the first half, the veteran running back responded with eight rushes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the second.
The Bolts offensive line continued to chip away and play physical in the trenches, and Dobbins did the rest.
"We believe in our offensive line and the running back we're giving the ball to," quarterback Justin Herbert said. "It changes the game being able to run the ball like that.
"Those big runs are a testament to the guys up front," Herbert added. "They blocked really hard and J.K. made some good moves."
Dobbins' first breakaway came early in the third quarter with the Bolts facing a third-and 2.
After great blocking at the line by center Bradley Bozeman and the left side of Zion Johnson and Rashawn Slater, Dobbins burst through a breaking a tackle on his way to a 46-yard gain.
It would lead to a field goal that gave the Chargers a lead that they would not relinquish.
Dobbins later scored on a 12-yard run on the opening play of the fourth quarter.
"[Raiders outside linebacker] [Divine] Deablo hit my leg as I came through the whole and we always preach keep your legs up," Dobbins said about his touchdown run. "That's what I did, went back to my training and it was a touchdown."
Later in the fourth quarter, the Bolts were hoping for put the game away up six with over four minutes to go.
Dobbins went ahead and put some of the finishing touches on the game.
On a second-and 2 at their own 25, Dobbins found a hole and ripped off a 61-yard run that put them in the red zone.
It was the longest play of the game for either side and led to the game-sealing touchdown by Ladd McConkey a couple plays later.
"The first 40 yards I was like, 'Oh, bye bye.' Because I was pulling away from them," Dobbins said about his run. "Then after that, I was like, 'Oh [snap].' I got heavy. I was like alright let me just cover the ball then I got tackled."
Herbert added: "You have the belief that every play could be a big play like that."
Dobbins's teammates were thrilled for the veteran running back after the game, pointing to everything he's gone through to get back into form.
"I'm so happy for him. I see the way he's working every day," safety Derwin James, Jr., said about Dobbins after the game. "He's just a great locker room guy.
"His energy every day, smiling, lighting up the building when he come in the training room, every room, meetings," James added. "It's special to have him."
It was an impressive debut for Dobbins in the powder blue, but he isn't satisfied.
He feels as if though there's a lot more work to be done to continue improving and building on it.
"It felt good, it felt really good. But now, I'm going to get ready for next week," Dobbins said. "I'm the type of guy that cool had a good game, go back to the drawing board and let's get better."
Dobbins later added: "Like I keep saying, I got to get in shape. I got to finish those runs like I used to, and I will. I'm going to make sure I fix it so I can do what I'm capable of doing."
Ford wrecks Raiders on the interior
Poona Ford entered the year as a key addition for the team on the interior defensive line — and he showed why in a big way.
The veteran defensive lineman was part of the strong interior performance the Bolts put together Sunday through both the run and the pass.
He finished with three total tackles, one QB hit, one tackle for loss, one interception and two passes defensed.
"We wanted to set the tone for our season and what kind of defense we want to be," Ford said. "We just kind of put that on display.
"Nobody never seen us yet, we just wanted to put it all together out there," Ford said.
Ford wasted little time to make some big plays on defense.
On the Raiders second offensive drive of the game, they faced a fourth-and 1 on their own 41-yard line.
Ford made sure the play would go nowhere from the jump.
The defensive lineman was able to be one step ahead and use center Andres James' aggressiveness against him to get by him. He would then make his way to the backfield and make contact with Raiders running back Zamir White behind the line of scrimmage to force the turnover on downs.
"I knew it was going to be overaggressive, so I just kind of backdoored it and played the tight end insert," Ford said about the run stop. "It went right into my arms."
He would later make another impactful play, one that sealed the game for the Bolts late in the fourth quarter.
With under two minutes to go, outside linebacker Khalil Mack read Gardner Minshew's eyes perfectly and got up for the pass deflection, which Ford was able to haul in to give the Chargers the ball back.
Ford described what was going through his mind when he saw the ball in the air.
"I was just like, 'Oh [snap],'" Ford said with a smile while looking up. "And it just fell in my arms."
And he wanted to set the record straight about sliding after the interception.
"For the record, I did not get tackled," Ford said with a laugh. "I went down so we could secure the dub."
Derwin James, Jr., backed up the decision as well, joking that it was what the defense wanted him to do.
"He went down, he went down," James said. "We was trying to tell him, 'Get down, get down.'"
Strong showing for Alt
Chargers first-round pick Joe Alt had one of the toughest assignments of any rookie in their first game.
But he delivered like an experienced vet despite making his NFL debut.
According to stats from NFL Pro, Alt allowed zero quarterback pressures across 11 matchups, all in 1-on-1 situations, against Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on Sunday.
"He's a great competitor. I felt like I went out there and just competed all game long," Alt said after the game about Crosby. "That was my goal and continuing to take a next-play mentality.
"Now it's go back and watch the film and see where I can improve," Alt added.
Crosby had not been held to zero pressures in a matchup against an offensive lineman since Week 9, 2022 (minimum 10 matchups), according to the site.
On the day, Alt allowed three pressures across his 28 total pass blocking snaps.
"Joe Alt, he played really good," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Super happy for Joe."
Herbert added: "He's a true ball player out there."
Chargers coaches and teammates have lauded Alt since his arrival as he transitioned the the right side of the offensive line.
In his first big test Alt stood his ground, but it is no surprise to his teammates.
"Super proud of him. I've always known from the very beginning he was going to be dominant," Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater said about Alt. "I have no doubt he dominated today. I haven't even looked at the film, but I just know he did.
He added: "Sky is the limit."
Above all, Alt was just happy to have been a part of his first NFL win.
"It's a great feeling," Alt said. "Being able to go out here, especially my first one, and play with these guys and the offensive line that taught me so much and get a win out here, it's a great experience."