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Jim Harbaugh Reflects on Chargers Beating Raiders in His Return to NFL

Zach BacharContributor ISeptember 9, 2024

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was proud of his team after earning a hard-fought Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders by the final score of 22-10.

"They're hard to get," Harbaugh said, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "These are hard to get. Everybody in that locker room knows it, as do I, that it is really hard to win a game in the NFL. I just take my hat off to, really, everybody in the organization, especially those that have been here doing the dirty work."

Harbaugh earned his first win as an NFL head coach since he was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. He was given a game ball in the locker room after the victory.

Los Angeles Chargers @chargers

who's got it better than us? <a href="https://t.co/tr3FRG90lB">pic.twitter.com/tr3FRG90lB</a>

Harbaugh's 49ers teams routinely started seasons off strong, as he won all five of his Week 1 games with the organization.

The Chargers weren't able to accomplish the feat in 2023, losing their season-opening game and eventually dropping four of their first six contests before finishing the year with a 5-12 record. This led to the hiring of Harbaugh on Jan. 24, who just wrapped up an undefeated season as well as a national title with Michigan at the time.

Los Angeles wasn't particularly dominant against its division rival on Sunday. However, the Chargers were able to capitalize on three Raiders turnovers and put the game away with a touchdown by rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the fourth quarter.

NFL @NFL

Keep that football!<br><br>Ladd McConkey finds the blue paint for his first NFL TD!<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LVvsLAC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LVvsLAC</a> on CBS/Paramount+<br>📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Px6BcGS2W">pic.twitter.com/2Px6BcGS2W</a>

Harbaugh's team will look to keep the momentum going and attempt to help secure the organization's first 2-0 start since 2012.