Las Vegas Raiders can’t overcome 14-0 deficit, fall to Chargers
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to dig themselves large holes in games, and for the first time this season, they were unable to come back from it.
Going into their Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders were the only remaining undefeated team in the AFC. By the time the game against their division rival finished up, they found themselves on the losing end for the first time this season, falling 28-14.
It was ugly early for Derek Carr and this Las Vegas offense, as the line did a terrible job protecting him in the first quarter, leading to not a single yard for them on that side of the ball. In fact, the offense could not get it going at all during the first half, and as the teams went into the locker room, they were down 21-0.
Then came that Carr magic we have seen all season long, as he led the team to two third quarter touchdown drives, closing the gap to 21-14. The Raiders seemed to have all the momentum and were driving after a 51-yard pitch and catch from Carr to Henry Ruggs III, but they opted for a 52-yard field goal on fourth-and-9.
Daniel Carlson would miss the field goal, taking all of the momentum away from the Silver and Black, and Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense would capitalize. They ran all over a tired Raiders defense for their first score of the second half, and that would be all the offense they would need.
Raiders see record move to 3-1 on the season
With the loss, the Raiders fall to 3-1 on the young season but are still in very good shape moving forward. Sure, the injuries are mounted, as they lost both Damon Arnette and Trayvon Mullen Jr. to injuries during the game, but you have to like their chances against most of their upcoming opponents.
There is a lot of season left, and the Raiders did make a run at it in the second half, but offensive line issues continued to rear their ugly head. Las Vegas will have a short week to prepare for the Chicago Bears, but at least they head home to the friendly confines of Allegiant Stadium for that one.