Raiders beat Chargers in OT in possible Oakland finale

In spite of the fact that the Raiders failed to make it to the postseason, two things are very much clear: They have finally found their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, and Jack Del Rio is here to stay.

“We’ve been loyal all these years, and now that they’re getting good, we should be able to enjoy it”, Tiffany Hodges, a 27-year-old season fitness club manager from Oakland said. “And now they might be leaving us”. “It’s been the story of the year, just losing close games”, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. The Raiders improved to 7-8 with their win while the Chargers fell to 4-11.

The Raiders were in L.A. for 14 years.

Charles Woodson received his final send-off from the Oakland crowd at the last home game of his career on Friday (NZ time) and celebrated the occasion with a Raiders win.

Woodson is the only player in National Football League history with 20-plus sacks and 60-plus interceptions (no other player even has 20-plus sacks and 50-plus INTs).

The Raiders continued to play stout defense in finishing their home season with a 3-5 record, with the offense contributing just enough to put up the winning points on a 31-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski in overtime. The play was overturned on replay review.

The Chargers took a 53-yard field goal off the scoreboard when an Oakland penalty gave their drive new life.

McCoy allowed a rare vulnerable moment afterward, saying, “It’s unbelievable…”

The Chargers scored on their first and third possessions and led until just four minutes, 42 seconds remained. A loud ovation for No. 24, possibly the only time a 3-yard loss in overtime has produced such a roaring response.

Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith forced a David Johnson fumble that Benson Mayowa returned to the doorstep of the end zone, leading directly to Michael Crabtree’s go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. His teammates took the call and led the Raiders to a come-from-behind victory over the rival Chargers. On third-and-10 from the Raiders 45, Rivers threw incomplete to Inman, but cornerback DJ Hayden was flagged for interference, giving San Diego a first down at the 30. The Chargers held Oakland to 283 total yards and 23 points in an overtime game. He also is proving to be a weapon in the passing game. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave hinted earlier this week that retiring safety Charles Woodson might get a chance to play wide receiver in the future Hall of Famer’s “Black Hole” sendoff.

It’s been that kind of season for the hobbled and horrid Chargers.

This game was about coming back, floundering around, surviving long tiresome periods and many mistakes…

Next up for the Raiders is a trip to Arrowhead Stadium for a meeting with the hated Kansas City Chiefs.

Before the game, Woodson took a stroll around the outer ring of the field and greeted some fans along the way. Erasing all memories of the five straight three and outs as when it counted, the offense got the job done to make sure that Woodson’s finale did not go in vain.