Chargers vs. Raiders: 5 Takeaways from Monday Night Football Opener

With a 22-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Monday night, the San Diego Chargers took an early-season driver's seat in the race for the 2012 AFC West division crown.

Led by a voracious defensive performance and some timely throws from Philip Rivers, the team looked far different from the one that went 8-8 in 2011—for both the better and worse.

Oakland also saw some promising signs on Monday night, especially from Darren McFadden, who looked explosive throughout the contest. However, it was some of the same mistakes from last season that ultimately led to the Raiders' downfall.

Overall, it was a mixed bag for both sides. With that in mind, here's a look at the biggest takeaways from the Monday night showdown. 

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