Raiders rise to occasion, win possible finale in Oakland

The Raiders (6-8) and Chargers (4-10), along with the St. Louis Rams, are looking at moving to Los Angeles as early as next season, Oakland not having a new stadium lease in place for 2016. Raiders owner Mark Davis and Chargers owner Dean Spanos are seeking to partner on building a stadium in Carson.

It’s their last home game of the season, and it could possibly be the Raiders’ final game at the O.co Coliseum if the franchise.

Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett breaks up a pass intended for Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) on Thursday night.

“It means so much because of how much he’s helped me, how much he’s pushed me, how much he’s taught me, just about being a pro”, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said of getting the win for Woodson.

The Chargers (4-11) took over on their 20 but were stopped on downs after gaining only 7 yards. But the Raiders were flagged on the play and Chargers coach Mike McCoy made a decision to take the points off the board and take the first down and a chance for a touchdown. “It’s been a joy for me to come back here and play for a second time around”.

Woodson addressed the crowd after the game, telling supporters, “though it was my last game in the Coliseum, know that I will never leave you”.

“All week long, we have been saying GOAT”, Mayowa said. “When guys go down, someone’s got to step up”. We’ve got to use everyone we’ve got. “That’s who we had to make plays for, the GOAT”.

“It just becomes a part of you”, Brandon Thompson, a 27-year-old Oakland native said as he pointed to his left shoulder, which is emblazoned with a Raiders tattoo. “Doesn’t make it any easier losing another one like that”. The San Jose truck driver, who wore a black turban as he handed out “Stay in Oakland” signs, said being a member of Raider Nation made him feel a little more American after he immigrated from India 19 years ago. While complaining about the lack of a pass interference penalty, the Chargers were hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty call.

In the overtime, the Raiders finally got a first down.

Except the Chargers were ready for him, and Woodson lost 3 yards. However, a series of misfortunes led to no points on one unbelievable drive.

Although he was unable to generate any offense in overtime, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had a respectable performance with 277 yards and one touchdown pass. Running back Danny Woodhead rushed for 55 yards while adding eight catches for 53 yards.

But the game officially ended on 4th and 3 in the first overtime, when Rivers threw an incomplete pass near the right sideline. Ingram had a career-high 2 1/2 sacks the previous week in a victory against Miami. “It’s good for it to be this night, a night where it’s my last game in the Coliseum to have the dramatics but come out with the win”. Verrett, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and was a Raiders fan, had one tackle before exiting the game. Chargers put three receivers to the right and Inman simply ran a slant underneath the two inside routes and waltzed into the end zone.

-FS Eric Weddle sustained a groin injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game Thursday against Oakland.