It seems that both the LA Chargers and Dodgers had some late game magic working in their favor as Nick Novak drilled a last second field goal to take the battle of California from the Oakland Raiders. This occurring soon after a walk off home run won game 1 of the NLCS for the Dodgers. Returning from a lower back injury, Derek Carr bounced back from an early interception well with a touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree midway through the first quarter. The team retook the lead with a field goal before the end of the first half.
The Raiders couldn’t keep the momentum heading into the second quarter as they struggled to maintain any running game with Marshawn Lynch as well as getting Philip Rivers and the Chargers off the field on third down on critical drives. After a slow third quarter, the Chargers took the lead for the first on Melvin Gordon’s second touchdown of the game. The Raiders came right back with an impressive and fast, 4 play 65 yard drive to retake the lead. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson took a jet sweep play from the 47 yard line to the end zone for Oakland. The costly mistake occurred though on the extra point attempt, when long snapper Jon Condo snapped high and kicker Giorgio Tavecchio was unable to convert—leaving the lead at 2. This fundamental error cost Oakland a chance for overtime, as Rivers took the Chargers down the field on the ensuing drive, leaving new kicker Novack with a 32 yard field goal for the win as time expired.
This loss will hurt the Raiders as they drop their fourth straight after starting the season 2 and 0. The Chiefs, coming off their first loss, will be in Oakland for next week’s game.
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