The playoff bound Chargers were treating their game at Allegiant like their postseason opener. A win jumps them from the sixth seed to the fifth seed, which means this one had playoff ramifications and they would approach it as such.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are playing for pride. And not surprisingly, it was the playoff team that carried the day.
A long touchdown pass from Aidan O’Connell to Jakobi Meyers would give the Raiders a 10-3 lead in the second quarter. But you knew it wouldn’t last long.
After the Chargers drove for consecutive field goals to come within a point at 10-9, Aidan O’Connell would throw a bad pass over the middle for Alexander Mattison and was picked off by Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley.
The Chargers got the ball at the Vegas 30-yard-line and in four plays, they were in the end zone with Chargers QB Justin Herbert finding DJ Chark for six from six yards out. On the two-point conversion, Herbert worked his magic, escaping pressure from the left and buying time until Ladd McConkey broke open along the end line and found him for the score to take a 17-10 lead into the half.
The Chargers ran away with it from there, scoring on three consecutive possession — the last two for touchdowns — and easily putting the game away with a 34-13 win.
In the final seconds, the Raiders add some stats and window dressing with a touchdown pass from Aidan O’Connell to superstar rookie Brock Bowers for the 34-20 final score.
Justin Herbert finished with 389 yards of offense, including 346 passing yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.
Herbert’s favorite target was Quentin Johnston who had 13 catches for 186 yards.
The Raiders finish the season 4-13, while the Chargers surge into the playoffs at 11-6.