Raiders beat Chargers 23-20 in OT in possible Oakland finale

“We are determined that this will not be the Raiders last game in Oakland”, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said by phone Thursday, adding that building a new stadium for the team will be “complex”, since they share O.co Coliseum with the Oakland A’s, and the property is also co-owned by the city and Alameda County.

The San Diego Chargers fell to the Raiders 23-20 Thursday in what could be the last home game in Oakland.

“We had an opportunity to win it, just didn’t finish it”, coach Mike McCoy said.

Bring your family and friends to the Oggi’s Vista location on Thursday, December 24th (5:30-7:30 PM) for the Chargers official watch party! Our fans showed up, a tremendous showing tonight.

Head coach Jack Del Rio and his team have no way of knowing where they’ll be playing next season so they aren’t spending a lot of time worrying about.

Meanwhile, the Chargers ended their two-game losing streak with a win against the Miami Dolphins and are looking to use the momentum they gained by avenging their earlier loss to the Raiders in Week 7.

Oakland’s Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 31-yard field goal 6:55 into overtime to create the final margin and the Chargers could not manage a first down after that, an incomplete pass sealing Oakland’s triumph. The 18-year veteran announced this week that he will retire at season’s end. “Just to make sure if it is the last game there, then send us out right, in the Coliseum and definitely for 2-4”. “You guys welcomed me back with open arms as if I never left. I’m just really proud of the effort”. With all of the injuries the Chargers are dealing with and have dealt with already, I don’t see this game going any different.

Thursday wasn’t the prettiest display of football, and the overtime showcased that. Facing a second-and-29, the Raiders were bailed out by an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Chargers, and the Raiders were called for another false start before they finally made it into San Diego territory.

Carr’s fade pass for Crabtree beat Craig Mager for a 3-yard touchdown to give the Raiders the lead. There’s also talk about getting Woodson involved in the offense as he was when he won the Heisman Trophy at MI in 1997. On the ground, RB Latavius Murray has slashed his way to 956 yards, tops in the AFC, and he’s averaging 93.3 scrimmage yards in his past four home games.

Referring to the possibility that Oakland can complete a plan that will convince the Raiders to stay in the city, Schaaf said, “I do believe it can be done. He knew if he threw it, everybody probably would have been mad at him”. However, Oakland linebacker Malcolm Smith forced a fumble, and defensive end Benson Mayowa recovered it and returned 41 yards to the 3.

Derek Carr then hit Michael Crabtree on a fade route one play later for a touchdown, and a catch by Seth Roberts for a two-point conversion gave the Raiders a 20-17 lead.

That was a rare blip for a Raiders defense that had another strong outing, particularly in the second half. His teammates took the call and led the Raiders to a come-from-behind victory over the rival Chargers.

It was bad enough that Greg Ducre, who had played one snap entering the game, was in at cornerback. The Chargers and Raiders combined for seven punts, two first downs and a safety during that span, and neither team looked like it wanted to seize control.

It was another tough night for Carr, who had just 134 passing yards in regulation.

That was big after Carr’s first pass of the night was an interception, his 12th of the season, with 10 coming at home.

San Diego falls to 4-11.

The Chargers marched the 32 yards required for a touchdown, which came on a 1-yard from Donald Brown.

The Raiders bounced back with their only lengthy touchdown drive of the game.