The Chargers let Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson walk in the offseason. Jackson, who landed a five-year, $55-million deal from Tampa Bay, was replaced by a group of players. QB Philip Rivers has responded like any veteran would: gladly. Rivers connected with sixth-year receiver Robert Meachem on a 46-yard reception in the first quarter and newcomer Eddie Royal flashed at times. Malcom Floyd (No. 80) continues to be the deep threat that Norv Turner’s offense needs and Antonio Gates, who left the game temporarily with a rib injury but later returned, remained as Rivers’ safety blanket. All in all, a nice job for this bunch.
 

New players, new coaches, new management and still the same old problems haunt Oakland. The Raiders’ defense looked mean and nasty, but was hamstrung by mental mistakes. Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was flagged for encroachment twice on the same drive in third-and-short situations. Though the Raiders were flagged only six times, the self-destructiveness of those penalties, combined with mistakes such as fumbles (including the one by Rod Streater recovered by the Chargers' Antwan Barnes, pictured) and the aforementioned problems getting the ball to the punter, played a major role in the Raiders’ demise.
 

McFadden tried to make the most of his 28 touches (15 rushes, 13 receptions), but it wasn’t enough to spark the Raiders into the end zone until it was too late. New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has made it a priority to feature the big-time runner, and with a moth-eaten wide receiving corps it shouldn’t be difficult. The Chargers’ front seven did a nice job bottling up McFadden in the running game, but he was a major threat when he had the ball in space.

Teams can’t account for injuries — especially when a long snapper goes down. But that’s exactly what happened to the Raiders when long snapper Jon Condo was sidelined with a head injury ... and it was evident. Backup long snapper Travis Goethel’s first mishap was a skidded snap to punter Shane Lechler, who was tackled immediately. Later in the third quarter, Chargers special teams ace Dante Rosario knifed in to block the punt. Then again in the fourth quarter, another blown snap, which left the Chargers with a short field to capitalize. In all three instances, the Chargers kicked field goals. Nine easy points in an eight-point loss for head coach Dennis Allen (pictured).
 

After a career-high 20 interceptions in 2011, Rivers vowed to make fewer mistakes in 2012. So far, he is a man of his word. Rivers, who was especially relied upon as the offense’s focal point with running back Ryan Mathews out with injury, distributed the ball evenly. When plays broke down, Rivers threw it out of bounds. He lived to play another down, sustained long drives and showed chemistry with new receivers. Rivers finished 24 of 33 with 231 yards and a touchdown — and no turnovers. Has he learned from his 2011 blunders?

Sloppy play and mental mistakes tormented the Oakland Raiders on Monday night in their 22-14 season-opening loss to the visiting San Diego Chargers and head coach Norv Turner (pictured). Here are five keys that put the Raiders into an early Black Hole in the AFC West.

— Ross Jones