Raiders vs. Chargers Official Game Thread
Henderson, Nev. --Entering tonight's Thursday Night Football contest between the Las Vegas Raiders (7-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (4-9), the Silver and Black are desperate.
The Raiders have one of the elite signal callers in Derek Carr, and the Chargers have one of the top young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert.
Time of Possession...
The Las Vegas Raiders must own the time of possession. In this 60-minute game, they are looking for a 35-25 margin. The Chargers are a healthy team compared to the last time, and the Raiders are not.
Coach Jon Gruden and the Raiders are not going to abandon what they do, but it puts their defense back on the field if they score quickly. The Raiders can win a shootout with the Chargers. But if they can establish the run and shorten the game, they are better for it.
The more Derek Carr can engage receivers who are in a one-on-one that forces the Chargers not to stack the scrimmage line. The key to this game is passing when you want to and not when you have to.
Gruden loves to use the run to set up the pass. I love that philosophy. Against the Chargers, if they stack the box as expected, he will need to use the passing game to set up the running game.
The Rule of Five...
Remember the rule of five. If the Las Vegas Raiders win that, games are over. For those who don't remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Raiders have three sacks and give up two, that means they are plus one. If they then get four turnovers and give up only one, that means they are plus three. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game. Teams that reach the rule of five scenarios win 91 percent of their ball games on average.
Extra Point…
Raider Maven has written extensively about the emotion and camaraderie on this team. It was one of the most emotional weeks of practice, and the Raiders, after replacing Paul Guenther, are in a total win or die mindset.
Prediction…
Thursday Night Football's emotion, mixed with this team's play that lasts a few weeks, is tangible. While this team is far from void of talent or leadership, that doesn't mean there haven't been players that needed an attitude adjustment. Carr handed those out like presents from Santa this week.
Carr is superb at protecting the football and avoiding turnovers. The Raider defense is on notice. In the end, I think the Raiders get their second turnover of the night on a Maxx Crosby sack, and Daniel Carlson boots a 44-yard field goal as their final score in the fourth quarter for the 31-28 win.
Inactives for tonight:
COIN TOSS: Chargers win the toss. They defer. Raiders receive the ball in the first half.
SCORING UPDATE #1: Tight end Hunter Henry with a 10-yard reception for a touchdown. PAT is Good. Chargers lead 7-0. 5:56 remaining in the first quarter.
INJURY UPDATE: Raiders Quarterback Derek Carr injures his left groin on the field. He is Immediately taken to the locker room.
SCORING UPDATE #2: Raiders placekicker Daniel Carlson boots a 23-yard field goal for three points. Chargers still lead 7-3. 0:55 left in the first quarter.
INJURY UPDATE: Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is QUESTIONABLE to return, citing a groin injury.
PENALTY UPDATE: False start by Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen. Five-yard penalty.
START OF SECOND QUARTER:
SCORING UPDATE #3: 35-yard deep throw down by Marcus Mariota down the near-side by tight end Darren Waller results in a touchdown. PAT is Good. Raiders take the lead, 10-7. 9:19 left to go in the half.
TWO MINUTE WARNING: Raiders lead 10-7. Chargers have the ball on Las Vegas 7-yard line. Third and goal coming up.
SCORING UPDATE #4: 22-yard field goal attempt by Chargers placekicker by Michael Badgley. The game is tied 10-10. 1:52 left to go in the half.
TIMEOUT: Chargers take their first timeout of the half. Third and nine coming up for the Raiders. 1:12 left to go in the half.
TIMEOUT: Chargers take their second timeout in the half. Fourth and five coming up. 1:06 left to go in the half.
SCORING UPDATE #5: Chargers Ty Johnson receives the football for a 26-yard touchdown reception. PAT is Good. Chargers retake the lead, 17-10. 0:19 left in the half.
HALFTIME: Chargers lead 17-10 at the half. Chargers will receive the ball in the second half.
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HALFTIME REPORT
The season’s on the line for the Raiders tonight.
It was a miscommunication start for the Silver and Black with quarterback Derek Carr throwing the ball away on third and short for a three-down series.
The Chargers went on an early possession for 12 plays and 76 yards which resulted in a 10-yard touchdown reception by tight end Hunter Henry.
Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert went 6-for-6 for 78 yards and a touchdown.
A perfect start for Herbert would be the storyline for the first half as he went 16 for 20 for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
It looks like the Raiders once again needed a wake-up call tonight as running back Josh Jacobs got his wheels rolling for 33 yards in 7 carries.
With a big 30-yard gain by wide receiver Nelson Agholor on third and long, it was looking like a typical touchdown finish in the endzone.
However, on third and goal, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr injures his left groin on the play and is immediately taken to the locker room.
The possession ends in three points for the Raiders after a 23-yard field goal was booted through the uprights by placekicker Daniel Carlson.
As the Chargers were hustling down the field for a second time, a pass intended for wide receiver Jalen Guyton after a deflection off a Raider.
With a stop and a chance to take the lead, Las Vegas backup quarterback Marcus Mariota took over under center duties for Carr.
Mariota showed the nation what he can do on the field as he went 3-for-3 and 70 yards down the field. A couple of deep passes down to tight end Darren Waller, including the 35-yard touchdown, throw down the near sideline.
Once again with the Chargers, Herbert went straight to the passing game, targeting the open slots in the secondary for the Raiders.
He took just under seven-and-a-half minutes to move the ball down the field yet settled for the field goal after failing to punch the ball in on third-and-goal.
With a quick trip for Mariota on his second possession and a shanked 19-yard punt by A.J. Cole, Herbert took advantage of a struggling Raiders secondary, eventually resulting in a 26-yard touchdown throw to former Raider Ty Johnson. With 19 seconds left in the half, the Chargers retook the lead.
It’s still anyone’s game here in Las Vegas at halftime.
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START OF THIRD QUARTER
INJURY UPDATE: Raiders Quarterback Derek Carr has been ruled OUT of tonight's contest.
PENALTY UPDATE: Pass interference and grabbing the face mask called on Trayvon Mullen. 28-yard total penalty yardage. First down Chargers.
INJURY UPDATE: Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is injured on the field after a big hit by Chargers linebacker B.J. Bello
PENALTY UPDATE: Pass Interference called on Chargers cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Ball is placed on the one-yard line. First and goal.
SCORING UPDATE #6: Running back Josh Jacobs dives in for a one-yard rushing touchdown. PAT is Good. Raiders tie it back up, 17 to 17. 7:18 left to go in the third quarter.
CHALLENGE: Raiders challenge the ruling on the field as a completed catch. Review underway. Call is overturned.
PENALTY UPDATE: Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is called for a delay of game. Five-yard penalty. Remains second down.
PENALTY UPDATE: Pass Interference called on cornerback Trayvon Mullen. Ball is placed on the one-yard line. Automatic first down.
TIMEOUT: Raiders call their first timeout of the second half. 2:12 left to go in the third quarter.
SCORING UPDATE #7: Chargers running back Kalen Balage punches it in for a one-yard touchdown. PAT is Good. Chargers lead 24 to 17. 2:08 left to go in the third quarter.
INJURY UPDATE: Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is undergoing concussion protocol. His return is questionable.
START OF FOURTH QUARTER
PENALTY UPDATE: Holding called on right guard Gabe Jackson. 10-yard penalty, First down and 20 Raiders.
INJURY UPDATE: Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has been ruled OUT of tonight's contest, citing a concussion.
SCORING UPDATE #8: Quarterback Marcus Mariota leaps in for a two-yard touchdown run. PAT is Good. The game is tied back up 24-all with 6:16 left to go in regulation.
TURNOVER: Chargers placekicker Michael Badgley kicks the ball wide left for a 47-yard field goal attempt. Raiders receive the ball back on their own 28-yard line. First and ten. 3:28 left in regulation.
TURNOVER: Quarterback Marcus Mariota is intercepted by cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Harris returns the football for 52 yards. Ball on Las Vegas 32-yard line. First down and 10. Two Minute Warning.
TWO MINUTE WARNING: The game is tied 27-27. Ball is on Las Vegas 32-yard line.
TIMEOUT: Raiders take their second timeout. 1:48 left to go. 2nd down and seven to go.
TIMEOUT: Raiders take their final timeout. 1:44 left to go. Third and two Chargers.
TIMEOUT: Chargers take their first timeout of the half. 0:58 left to go in regulation.
TURNOVER: Chargers placekicker Michale Badgley kicks the ball wide left for a 51-yard field goal attempt. Raiders will take over the ball on their own 33-yard line. 0:53 left to go in regulation.
END OF REGULATION: The game is tied 27-27 at the end of regulation. Coin toss coming up.
COIN TOSS: Raiders win the coin toss. They will receive the ball first. 10 minute overtime coming up next.
TIMEOUT: Chargers take their first timeout of the overtime period. 3:26 left to go in overtime. 3rd and goal on the five-yard line.
SCORING UPDATE #9: Raiders placekicker Daniel Carlson punts a 23-yard field goal attempt through the uprights. Kick is good. Raiders lead 27-24 with 3:18 left in the overtime period.
PENALTY UPDATE: Pass Interference called on Raiders Trayvon Mullen. Ball is placed at the spot of the foul. Automatic first down.
TIMEOUT: Jon Gruden takes his first of two timeouts in the overtime period. 2:19 left in the overtime period.
PENALTY UPDATE: Personal foul called on Nick Kwiatkoski. Lowering his helmet to initiate contact. Half of the distance to the goal. First down.
TWO MINUTE WARNING: The game is tied on second and goal just shy of the goal line.
FINAL: Chargers win in overtime, 30-27. Raiders fall to 7-7 while Chargers improve to 5-9.
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