Introduction
The Los Angeles Chargers are certainly living up to the hype that surrounded them pre-season. After beating the Oakland Raiders 20-6 this week for their sixth straight win, the Chargers sit at 7-2. That puts them in the top wild card position in the AFC. Before I talk about the Chargers playoff hopes, let’s take a look at their “dismantling” of the lowly Raiders.
Recap
I put dismantling in quotations because on the scoreboard the game was not close, but in reality, the Chargers played awful. Philip Rivers didn’t complete a pass until the second quarter and the team produced their lowest yards total of the year. Despite this slow start, the Chargers managed to win the game. “You have to win these games. Just find a way to win them. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care how pretty they are…”Rivers said about the ugly win. (Krause, 2018) The Raiders were the first on the board with a 46-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson. The Raiders then forced a 3 and out and got the ball back quickly. Driving the bolts defense down field, it did not look good, until Melvin Ingram had a hard hit on Derrick Carr and forced a fumble. The Chargers were able to take advantage of the fumble and hit a field goal, tying the game. After forcing a 3 and out, the bolts drove 77-yards up the field on four plays and finished with a 11-yard TD pass to Keenan Allen to take the lead going into halftime. The chargers got the ball back to start the third quarter and Melvin Gordon took right off. Juking multiple defenders for a 66-yard TD. To begin the fourth quarter the Raiders gained momentum but were stopped for a 30-yard field goal. On the next drive the Chargers were able to match that field goal to put them up 20-6. Oakland was unsuccessful in their comeback and they fell to a dismal 1-8.
What’s Next
The Chargers will head into their game against the Bronco’s next week as one of the hottest teams in the league. They rank fourth in the power ranking behind the Saints and the two teams that beat them; Chiefs and Rams. Right now, they are in wild card position, but there’s is still time to either fall out of the playoffs or move further into the picture. I’m still patiently waiting for the return of Joey Bosa, a preseason favorite for defensive player of the year. Bosa turns the Chargers from contenders to a Super Bowl team. So, keep an eye on the injury waiver and get ready for the Bronco’s.
References:
Dubow, J. (2018, November 12). Rivers leads Chargers to 6th straight win, 20-6 over Raiders. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/rivers-leads-chargers-6th-straight-win-20-6-000624922–spt.html
Krause, M. A. (2018, November 11). Oakland vs Los Angeles Recap, Final Score 20-6: Raiders can’t shock Chargers in Oakland. Retrieved from https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2018/11/11/18085984/oakland-vs-los-angeles-recap-final-score-20-6-raiders-cant-shock-chargers-in-oakland
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