Raiders News: Jon Gruden Hoping For Advantage At SoFi Stadium Against Chargers
Jon Gruden, Raiders
Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Las Vegas won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Silver and Black fanbase has had plenty to cheer about during the 2021 season as their Las Vegas Raiders are one of a handful of teams sitting at 3-0.

A combination of timely defensive stops and an exciting offense in a groove has helped the Raiders get off to such an impressive start against quality competition. Wins against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins look great on paper, but Las Vegas has probably their toughest challenge in Week 4 when they hit the road to play the Los Angeles Chargers.

While it is technically a road game for Las Vegas, the franchise is still beloved in Southern California, and Raiders fans are expected to show up in droves at SoFi Stadium. Head coach Jon Gruden admitted he hopes to see the Raider faithful show up and support the team.

“I hope so,” Gruden said. “I welcome Raider Nation to the field down there. I really have no idea. Some of those Dolphins fans snuck into our stadium last week. Perhaps Raider Nation can make a stand down in LA. We look forward to seeing the fans obviously and it will be a great game as it always is. Great rivalry.”

Unfortunately for the Chargers, most of their home games feel like road games as opposing fan bases flood their stadium, and it projects to be even worse when the Raiders come to town. Even though Los Angeles has looked great through three weeks, the team has to contend with a Las Vegas squad that has passionate fans in and around Los Angeles.

However, even though Gruden and his team will likely have a sizable home-field advantage, they still have to prove they can stop a potent Chargers offense that has started to come into its own. The fans will undoubtedly make an impact throughout the night, but the players on the field will need to show up and play to their ceiling if they want to extend their winning streak.