The Chargers defense prepared all offseason to instill a mindset of not letting previous plays affect the way they played — and it was apparent in Sunday afternoon's performance.
All throughout, the Bolts were able to keep their composure, eventually turning it into game-changing plays and the win.
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter praised his unit's poise no matter what happened Sunday, as it turned out to be a big key to the game.
"The thing I was probably most excited about was responding after some bad plays happened," Minter said. "That was a big focus of ours all the way back in April."
Minter added: "It's the National Football League, there's really good players, stuff is going to happen."
The defensive playcaller singled out a key instance in particular where the defense showcased this ability in the season opener.
After giving up a pair of third-down conversions during the Raiders third offensive drive of the game, the Bolts later gave up a 33-yard touchdown that put Las Vegas in the lead.
With the defense having given up an explosive play and the offense struggling to get going, it became a turning point moment of the game — one which the defense responded with in a big manner.
"It's like, 'Which way is this going to go?' We're not moving the ball a ton on the other side so that's one of those situations where it could go either way," Minter said.
The Chargers defense shut out the Raiders until midway through the fourth quarter and forced three turnovers the rest of the way.
There were many points where the defense could have showed some cracks, but they never lost focus as a group.
"I was just happy with how we responded to adversity and was able to regroup and go back out there and play our game," Minter said. "Certainly results, we're happy with the results."
Safety Derwin James, Jr. added: "We're just trying to build mindset around next-play mentality. We've been training it during [practice] and and that's what we're trying to do."
Part of the reason the Bolts defense was able to hunker down and avoid big plays from that point forward was knowing what they needed to do to win the game.
Minter said going in, the unit knew giving up big plays on yards after the catch would be what would be a difference maker.
But the defense was able to limit those for most of the afternoon, wrapping up the Raiders targets shortly after they were caught.
"Ball is caught downfield, let's not be spectators, let's all get to the ball, let's knock them down, get him to the ground," Minter said. "When you do that, you give yourself a chance.
He added: "I just think those types of plays don't show up as huge plays statistically, but any time they catch a ball 15, 20 yards down field and there's not a ton of yards after the catch, kudos to those guys in the secondary."
Overall, Minter was satisfied with his unit's performance in what was their first game under his scheme.
But the common theme this week has been focusing in on how the team can improve — something they're hoping to see progress with Sunday in Charlotte.
"There's still a lot of things to get better at, which is encouraging," Minter said. "You kind of expect that out of the first game. It's easier to make corrections when you had success."
Khalil Mack added: "It's always fun when you win the game and when you're winning the game. It's just a different energy. Everybody was playing for each other and for a bigger purpose. It's fun to get a win, but we're looking forward to this next game."
