Las Vegas Raiders vs LA Chargers 2021 Week 18: Studs and Duds

Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) gestures as he runs off the field after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) gestures as he runs off the field after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: Las Vegas Raiders fans Marilyn Acasio (center L) and her husband Mark “Gorilla Rilla” Acasio of California hold up a banner with the word “playoffs” after the Raiders’ 35-32 overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 9, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Las Vegas Raiders outlasted the Los Angeles Chargers in a wild game to clinch a wild card spot, here are the studs and duds from the Week 18 thriller

The Raiders and Chargers have played a few thrilling games in recent history but Sunday’s Matchup may have been the most dramatic. Last year’s games were both decided on literally the final play of the game with the Raiders coming up with a goal-line stand in the first game and the Chargers getting their revenge in the rematch a few weeks later.

In Week 18 of this year, however, it was a win and you’re in contest to decide the final wild-card spot. The added wrinkle was that due to the Colts losing to the Jaguars earlier in the day, both teams could have made the playoffs with a tie.

All week long the speculation was that both teams could play for a tie but it all seemed more tongue-in-cheek than true discussion. At one point it seemed like the Raiders would run away with the game but because it’s the 2021-22 season, we needed even more drama and we were literally seconds away from the insane scenario coming true.

Thankfully for the Raiders, they outlasted the Chargers to make the playoffs and sent their division rivals home for the offseason. It was an incredibly dramatic game and the perfect way to cap off an absurd regular season with more twists and turns than an episode of Game of Thrones. Here are the studs and duds from that wild Week 18 victory.

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