After going through a lot this season, the Las Vegas Raiders have fought their way into the playoffs and the Pittsburgh Steelers players are arguably their biggest supporters on Sunday night.
ContentId(3.1399954):NFL: Is it a movie or what?! The Raiders eliminate the Chargers! (soccer)
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It took until the very last overtime game of the last game of the regular schedule extended to 17 games in the Goodell circuit to complete the playoff scenario with a 35-32 victory for the Raiders against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The stakes for this game were simple: the winner continued their season and the loser went on vacation or both teams advanced to the playoffs with a draw following the loss of the Indianapolis Colts earlier in the day in front of the Jaguars of Jacksonville. The Pittsburgh Steelers would have been given a tie as they got the losing team’s playoff ticket and it was the Raiders who gave it to them.
Hunter Renfrow has stood out this season for the Raiders and he stood out in the most important game of the year for his team. The receiver accepted Derek Carr’s pass to make it 10-0 Las Vegas in the first quarter.
The Chargers responded through running back Austin Ekeler. The latter put Los Angeles back in the game with two touchdowns to bring their total to 20 on the season. Josh Jacobs put the Raiders back in front with 37 seconds left in the second quarter when he broke through the end zone on a short run.
The Chargers’ audacity in the third quarter cost them dearly since even though they were inside their 20-yard line in their territory, the attack attempted to convert a 4e try and a yard. Ekeler was stopped short before crossing the line of scrimmage and the Raiders won the ball. They followed up with a placement.
ContentId(3.1399952):NFL: IN-CRO-YA-BLE! Touch! The Chargers force the extension! (soccer)
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Renfrow then gave his team a 12-point lead with his second touchdown of the game after a catch from two yards out.
Down 29-14 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Chargers had no choice but to go for broke. On a fourth down and 21 yards to go, Justin Herbert spotted Josh Palmer for a 23-yard touchdown. Los Angeles followed that up with a two-point conversion to narrow the gap to just seven points.
Herbert showed composure in an attempt to lead his team to the tying touchdown in the dying moments of the game. He converted two fourth downs to get to the Raiders’ 29 line. The Chargers quarterback joined Palmer inside 15 yards and officials ruled the catch complete after a video review. With five seconds left, Herbert completed that incredible streak with a pass to Mike Williams in the end zone. After the conversion of a point, the two teams went to overtime with a score of 29-29 which must have increased the level of nervousness among the Steelers.
Josh Jacobs led the Raiders into Chargers territory to start overtime with two good runs. Los Angeles’ defense stalled Vegas’ progress to force Daniel Carlson to make a 40-yard field goal he just barely managed to make it 32-29.
The Chargers faced a fourth down and nine yards on the next streak, but again Herbert was opportunistic and his pass to Williams got Los Angeles into Raiders territory following a 47 yard gain. Dustin Hopkins tied the game with a 41-yard field goal that gave the Raiders just over four minutes.
Derek Carr and Jacobs led Las Vegas into Los Angeles territory and time ran out, leaving Daniel Carlson with a 47-yard kick for the win. As it was officially the last game of the game, the Raiders were already guaranteed a playoff spot, but their victory eliminated the Chargers and pleased the Steelers. The kicker succeeded and the celebrations could be launched in Pittsburgh!
ContentId(3.1399953):NFL: Last game of the season? No! 49 yards to Williams! (soccer)
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Jacobs led the charge offensively for the Raiders (10-7) with 132 rushing yards. Carr finished with 186 yards and the Vegas team earned a date with the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the playoffs. After the many distractions this season following the departure of Jon Gruden and the tragic accident of Henry Ruggs III, the Raiders were able to recover with four straight wins to close the campaign.
Despite his 383 yards and three touchdowns, Herbert sees his season come to an end and the Chargers must be disappointed to leave on vacation with a 9-8 record.
