Chargers-Raiders Live Game Recap: Bolts are back in navy for AFC clash

Chargers football is back it’s coming with a wave of navy blue inside SoFi Stadium.

After winning their first ever game donning the new navy alternates, the Chargers decided that the uniforms deserved a second day in the sun and I can’t think of a better opponent to play against while wearing them than the Raiders.

At 7-4, the Chargers are well in the hunt for a playoff spot. A win today would certainly boost their chances a bit, but the final five-game gauntlet that includes the Chiefs, Broncos, and Eagles will have plenty to say whether or not the Bolts are playing football in the middle of January.

Since the last time these two teams met, the Raiders have a new offensive coordinator after firing Chip Kelly only 11 games into his first season in Las Vegas. Greg Olson is now the OC for the Raiders in what will be his third stint at the position for the team in recent years.

Will it be enough to change the outcome this time around? I certainly don’t think so, but crazier things have happened in the NFL.

As long as the Chargers don’t let Maxx Crosby wreak havoc on Justin Herbert, I think this should be a very winnable matchup for Jim Harbaugh and Co.

For a complete live game recap, check it out below.

First Quarter

The Chargers win the coin toss and chose to defer. The Los Angeles defense was up first.

After a five-yard run by Ashton Jeanty on the first play of the game, Chargers pass rusher Tuli Tuipultu batted down a pass on second down and then split a sack of Geno Smith with Khalil Mack on third down to force a quick three-and-out.

The first offensive drive of the game for the Chargers was a long, methodical one that featured nine runs and five passes, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston. It was the seventh touchdown grab by Johnston this season and the fifth opening-drive score of the season for the Bolts.

After taking just under nine minutes off the clock on the drive, the Chargers held a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

On the first play of the ensuing Raiders drive, Smith found tight end Brock Bowers on a short crosser that he took for a 27-yard gain to immediately get into Chargers territory. From there, the LA defense stepped up again with Derwin James sacking Smith on third down to force another punt.

During that Raiders drive, Justin Herbert jogged into the locker room with trainers and reports noted that they were looking at his left hand following him being tackle by Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn just before the touchdown pass to Johnston.

When the Chargers got the ball back, backup Trey Lance came into the game to lead the offense. Just before the period came to an end, Kimani Vidal ripped off a nine-yard run to give the Chargers a first down at their own 20-yard line.

Second Quarter

Facing a third-and-10 at the LA 46-yard line, Herbert came back in to relieve Lance before throwing a dart to Allen for the first down. Thanks to an unsportsmanlike penalty on Raiders linebacker Devin White, the Bolts were given a free 15 yards which pushed them to the Raiders 29. On the next play, Herbert found tight end Oronde Gadsden II for 27 yards all the way down to the two-yard line.

After netting zero yards on two runs, Herbert tried to force an out route to Ladd McConkey near the left front pylon and it was picked by cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly. It was the 10th interception of the season for Herbert and the Raiders would take over at their own two.

Fortunately for the Bolts, the Las Vegas drive lasted two plays thanks to an interception by safety Tony Jefferson who managed to corral a batted pass just before stepping out of bounds. The Chargers would take over again at the Raiders 27-yard line, but they once again couldn’t come away with points. After a reception by Allen was short of the sticks by less than a yard on third down, the Bolts tried a handoff to Vidal up the middle but it was stuffed.

On the other side, the Raiders finally found life on offense thanks to some nice throws by Smith to both receiver Jack Bech and Bowers. On second-and-goal from Chargers six-yard line, the secondary had a miscommunication that led to a wide-open Bowers touchdown. After several Chargers blunders, it was now a 7-7 tie late in the first half.

Third Quarter

The Chargers offense started off the second half with a bang as Kimani Vidal broke off a massive 59-yard touchdown run on the third play of the drive to instantly put the Chargers back on top 14-7 less than a minute into the half.

Tuipulotu recorded his second sack of the game to end the Raiders’ next drive and force a three-and-out. However, the Raiders sacked Herbert on back-to-back plays to force their own three-and-out against Los Angeles.

The Chargers defense continued their tough stand by forcing another three-and-out that was once again punctuated by a Tuli Tuipulotu sack. That was the juice the Chargers needed as the offense found their groove again with an eight-play, 60-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Herbert to Ladd McConkey. The score increased the Chargers lead to 21-7 with 2:23 left in the third.

Las Vegas needed to put points on the board and that need forced them to roll the dice on a fourth-and-one in their own territory but the run by Jeanty was cut short of the sticks as the Chargers tripped him up short of the line to gain.

Fourth Quarter

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