How Chargers defense without star CB J.C. Jackson could rattle Raiders in Week 1

With cornerback J.C. Jackson probably out Week 1 with a right ankle injury, the Chargers may have to turn up the heat against the Raiders with their pass rush.

The Raiders' passing game, which features All-Pro Davante Adams, could be stellar. Adams ranked in the top five in catches (123), receiving yards (1,553) and receiving touchdowns (11) last season with Green Bay.

Hunter Renfrow, who had a breakout season in 2021, and premier tight end Darren Waller make up the rest of a trio that could shred the Chargers' secondary on Sunday in Los Angeles. 

The Chargers' best chance without Jackson might be to pressure quarterback Derek Carr with their revamped defensive line.  

The Bolts added edge defender Khalil Mack and defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson in the offseason, mainly to bolster a lackluster run defense. However, they can also excel pressuring the quarterback.

In seven games last season, Mack racked up six sacks. Joseph-Day and Johnson had three and 3.5 sacks, respectively. Of course, the Chargers also feature stellar pass rusher Joey Bosa, who has 58 career sacks.

The Raiders' offensive line struggled last season, allowing the 12th-most sacks in the league, and it doesn’t look like as if it will be better in 2022. The Sporting News ranked the Raiders' offensive line as the third worst in the NFL. 

The Chargers seem to think bringing pressure is the way to stop Carr.

“We knew once we hit him a few times, he really gets shook," Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa said last season, per NFL.com. "We know once you get pressure on him, he kind of shuts down.”