Golden Gate Sports
Fansided

Oakland Raiders: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly vs. Chargers

By Kevin Saito

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
Oakland Raiders
Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) catches a touchdown pass in front of Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ugly: Blowing Things Late

You would like to think that when you run up a ten point lead in the fourth quarter, that lead is going to be safe and barring some catastrophic circumstance, you’re going to win the game.

Sadly enough, the Raiders defense has been that catastrophic circumstance so far this season. They’ve not been able to hold leads, shut down opponents, or keep them from making things – extremely interesting. Panic inducing might actually be the better phrase.

Against San Diego, the defense was at it again. What’s really frustrating is that the defensive unit had played pretty well overall in the first half of the game. They’d more or less, held Rivers in check, had done a nice job of shutting down Melvin Gordon and the Chargers running attack.

Going into the break, the Raiders defense had held San Diego to just ten total points. It wasn’t a bad half of football, overall.

Live Feed

Khalil Mack blatantly calls out Chargers teammates after Broncos loss
Khalil Mack blatantly calls out Chargers teammates after Broncos loss /

Bolt Beat

  • Khalil Mack's record-setting 2023 for Chargers nearly never happened Bolt Beat
  • Khalil Mack carries Chargers to snooze fest win over Patriots Bolt Beat
  • Chargers news: Keenan Allen injury, Khalil Mack award, Josh Palmer injury update Bolt Beat
  • Chargers LB Joey Bosa carted off the field in Week 11. Out vs. Ravens? Ebony Bird
  • Deshaun Watson and the 5 worst contracts in the NFL right now FanSided

    • But then the second half started and it went from not half bad to absolutely abysmal in very nearly, the blink of an eye. Rivers absolutely went off in the second half and even Gordon began to heat up, gashing the Raiders run defense here and there.

    And when the Raiders went up by ten with just over twelve minutes left to play, it was both exhilarating and anxiety inducing at the same time. The anxiety quickly won out though.

    The moment the Raiders started to feel good about building a two score lead, Rivers struck back, leading the Chargers on a twelve play, 75 yard drive that culiminated in a touchdown to cut the lead to a meager three points.

    If not for some good fortune in the form of Drew Kaser fumbling the tying field goal attempt near the end of the game, San Diego very likely would have tied it up. After that, who knows what might have happened.

    What should not be lost is the fact that Oakland’s defense very nearly cost them a game. Again. It’s a recurring problem that needs to be fixed or it could prevent this squad from fulfilling their true potential.

    Home/Las Vegas Raiders News