The San Diego Chargers dropped their third straight after losing to the Oakland Raiders, 19-16. It's the seventh time this season the team lost when trailing in the fourth quarter.
Stat of the Game:
Philip Rivers set a career-high with 15 passes over 40 yards this season on his touchdown strike to Travis Benjamin.
Play of the Game:
The offensive line gave Philip Rivers all the time in the world on 3rd-and-8 just over four minutes into the game, and number 17 made the Raiders pay. Rivers launched a perfect rainbow 47-yards down field into the arms of Travis Benjamin to give San Diego a 7-0 lead.
Turning Point:
After converting a key third down, the Chargers had a 1st-and-10 from their own 16 with 11:44 left in the game. Kenneth Farrow took the handoff, but was stuffed for a loss by Perry Riley, who then punched the ball away. Malcolm Smith recovered it for his team at the 13-yard line. The fumble proved costly as Oakland ended up scoring a field goal six plays later to tie the game, 16-16.
It Was Over When:
Down three with 1:51 left in the game, the Chargers had no choice but to go for it on fourth down despite being backed up at their own nine. Rivers dropped back and threw over the middle, but his pass was picked off by Reggie Nelson. Derek Carr then took a series of knees to end the game and walk out of Qualcomm victorious.
Bolt Quotebook:
"As bad as this one feels, we have to go to Cleveland on a short week and go play. I don't really need a lot of talking to. We'll see what we're made of this week. It will be cold and against a team that hasn't won yet. Knowing we have two weeks to go, we'll find out about us." – QB Philip Rivers
"We can sit here and feel sorry for us but no one else does. I am proud of these guys for how they keep fighting and I know we will keep doing it these last few games." – OLB Kyle Emanuel
"It's not like (losses) get any better. It sucks; every single one hurts even more because they seem to pile on. We're right there, it's just crazy. It has been a wild year so (with) only two games at the end, we have to come back and finish strong." – TE Hunter Henry
Odds and Ends
The Raiders outgained the Chargers in total yardage 345 to 263. They held advantages on the ground (145-73) and through the air (200-190).
While Tyrell Williams led all receivers in targets (nine), Dontrelle Inman led the Bolts in receptions (five).
Jahleel Addae led the Chargers defense with eight total tackles. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram each notched a sack, and number 54 also had two forced fumbles.
Trovon Reed recorded his second interception in as many games.
The Chargers forced two turnovers, and are the only team to force one in all 14 games this season.
Denzel Perryman served as an honorary captain.
Inactives for the Chargers included RB Melvin Gordon, CB Craig Mager, TE Asante Cleveland, C Max Tuerk, T Tyreek Burwell, WR Jeremy Butler and DT Kaleb Eulls.
