Los Angeles Chargers lose close one in Oakland, 26-24

The Los Angeles Chargers headed into Thursday Night Football needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and may have just become the loser that left town.

The Los Angeles Chargers can no longer claim to be undefeated against the Oakland Raiders since moving back to Los Angeles. In the last prime time game for the Raiders in Oakland, the Chargers lost a close game 26-24 and further hurt their chances to make the AFC playoffs.

The Raiders scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:02 left in the game on a run by rookie running back Josh Jacobs. When the Raiders missed the extra point, it gave the Chargers a chance to win the game with a field goal.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers could not muster the winning drive, throwing an interception with twenty seconds left, sealing the win for the Raiders. It was a difficult night for Rivers as he was sacked five times for 38 yards lost and he threw three interceptions, giving up a pick-six in the first quarter.

The Chargers’ offensive line struggled to protect Rivers but they were able to open up holes for Melvin Gordon as he had his best game of the season, gaining 108 yards and scoring a touchdown.

The Chargers’ offensive line struggles were made worse by the fact that they lost left tackle Russell Okung in the first quarter.

The Chargers’ defense deserved a better outcome their stout play as they kept the Raiders at bay most of the game, allowing just 278 total yards and just 78 on the ground for 3.7 per attempt. During the first half, after the Raiders defense staked them to a 10-0 lead, the Chargers forced two three and out drives while the offense picked things up and got the Chargers a 14-10 lead.

The Raiders ended the half by going on a 10 play 76-yard drive and that gave them a 17-14 lead at the half. Over the next quarter and a half, both teams defenses clamped down and only allowed one field goal each until the end of the fourth quarter.

The Chargers finally put together a long drive going 80 years in eight minutes of play to take a 24-20 lead. It was Rivers’ best drive of the game as he made seven completions, including the go ahead touchdown.

Perhaps due to fatigue, the Chargers defense could not maintain the lead letting the Raiders march down the field for the winning touchdown drive in just three minutes of play to provide the winning margin.

With their sixth loss, the Los Angeles Chargers have a tough road ahead of themselves. If they’re going to return to the playoffs they will need a better effort than they gave on Thursday night.