Chargers top Raiders 17-16 in second straight win

In a big AFC West matchup in Week 6, the Los Angeles Chargers went into the Oakland Coliseum and pulled out a narrow victory over the Raiders.

The Oakland Raiders got their starting quarterback back this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, but despite that, the offense looked lost again early. While Derek Carr hit Michael Crabtree for a 23-yard touchdown to open the scoring, he looked a bit rushed in the pocket throughout the first half. A Melvin Gordon touchdown for the Chargers tied the game up right before halftime, but the Raiders capitalized on a big return from Cordarrelle Patterson that led to a field goal, and Oakland went to the locker room with the score 10-7.

In the second half, the Raiders got the ball moving in the right direction, but Carr threw his second interception deep in Los Angeles territory. Turnovers were the story in the third quarter, as the Chargers were driving late and a Terrence Williams fumble gave the Raiders the ball back. Oakland would go for it on fourth down to start the fourth, but Carr’s pass fell short of Crabtree.

Los Angeles grabbed their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter, as Philip Rivers hit Gordon for a six-yard touchdown. Oakland wasted no time grabbing the lead back, as Carr handed the ball to Patterson who raced 47 yards for the touchdown. The Raiders missed the extra point, so the score sat at 16-14 with under eight minutes to go in the game.

That missed extra point proved huge, as the Chargers hit a field goal to win the game with no time remaining. For the Raiders, they have to be concerned with their team, as they were supposed to challenge in the AFC this season. They have a huge game ahead of them next week when they play the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football.

Highlights

Three Stars

1. Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers

Anytime the Chargers needed a big play, they called the number of Melvin Gordon. The star running back for Los Angeles made it happen on the ground and through the air and in the end, the Raiders had no answer for him. Gordon finished with a touchdown rushing, and receiving, proving to be the difference maker in this game.

2. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers

The young tight end led the Chargers in receiving yards on Sunday, but it was his play late in the game that earns him our second star. Henry made a bunch of big catches on the Chargers game-winning drive, as they won their first AFC West game of the season. He is taking the torch from Antonio Gates, and is doing a great job doing so.

3. Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders

There was not much to like about this effort from the Raiders on Sunday, but Michael Crabtree stood out for the Silver and Black. The veteran wideout caught six balls for 52 yards, including a nice 23-yard touchdown from Derek Carr. He continues to produce no matter who is under center and had another good game on Sunday.

Betting Odds

The line heading into this game was null, as there were questions circulating as to whether or not Derek Carr would play for the Raiders in this one. All lines can be seen at Sportsbook Review throughout the week.

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Next Week

The Oakland Raiders will stay home in Week 7, as they welcome in division-leading Kansas City to the Oakland Coliseum in a Thursday Night Football showdown. The Chargers will take on another AFC West foe next weekend as well, as the Denver Broncos head to the StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon.