Raiders Fall From Shortlist Of Undefeated Teams
Oct 5, 2021, 11:15 AM | Updated: 11:15 am
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Only four weeks into this NFL season and the list of undefeated teams now stands at just one. The Arizona Cardinals stand alone after the Raiders lost to the Chargers in Los Angeles on Monday night.
The Raiders, Chargers and Broncos are now all (3-1) with division favorite Kansas City just a game behind at (2-2) after the first quarter of the season.
The Raiders and Chargers game was oddly delayed on Monday due to of all things a weather delay in Los Angeles. Yes, you read that correctly. There was a lightning delay that pushed the game back about 30 minutes and that delay seemed to impact the Raiders.
The Raiders were talking about starting fast, but this was their worst first half of the season. One first down, 51 total yards of offense, 53 yards in penalties and a 21-0 halftime deficit.
The Raiders responded with a much better performance in the second half, but the three-score deficit proved to be too much. The Raiders pulled to within 21-14 and had the ball. Momentum had shifted the Raider heavy crowd in LA was pulling for the comeback.
It never quite materialized as the Chargers added another score and won 28-14. Justin Herbert was good, Austin Ekeler had a career high 117 yards rushing to go with two touchdowns and LA backed up their good win in Kansas City with another division win against the silver and black.
Key Moments
- Late in the first half the Raiders were down 14-0 and deep in their own territory. The Raiders were given a first down on a Josh Jacobs carry. The Chargers elected to challenge the spot and it was overturned. The Raiders had to punt. Las Vegas would have been in a spot to either score or expire more clock. Instead, the Chargers got the ball back and went on the move to score again. Going into the locker room the Raiders were now down 21-0.
- The Raiders had the momentum and the ball. Two straight scoring drives and the 21-0 deficit was now 21-14. With the Raiders on the move they got sacked to create a 4th and long. Jon Gruden elected to kick a field goal and the kick was missed. The next drive the Chargers had a critical 4th and 2 and went for it and converted. The Chargers were more aggressive, and it paid off. The Chargers continued that drive into a score and basically ended the game.
Next up the Raiders will host the Bears on Sunday.
