In beating the Chargers to break a four-game losing streak and stay alive for the playoffs, the Raiders did something they haven’t done since Week 8: score a touchdown in the third quarter.
Oakland got the ball first to open the second half and methodically marched their way down the field to take a commanding 21-7 lead, resulting in this week’s drive of the game. The Raiders eventually won, 24-17 in front of thousands of Raiders fans in LA.
After having just 19 rushing yards in the first half, Oakland turned to the run game for this drive. It must be noted, however, that three of those yards came on a touchdown scramble by quarterback Derek Carr to close the first half. Still, the Raiders had done nearly all their damage through the air when the third quarter started.
The 13-play, 75-yard march began with three carries for 14 yards from running back DeAndre Washington, who started in place of the injured Josh Jacobs. Carr switched things up with a 20-yard pass to tight end Darren Waller on 2nd and 4.
A short Washington run and a 6-yard pass to TE Derek Carrier set up a 3rd-and-1, which Washington easily converted with a 5-yard tote. Gruden called Washington’s number again and the back rewarded him with a 6-yard gain.
On 2nd and 4 from the Chargers 21-yard line, RB Jalen Richard spelled Wahington for four plays, running the ball twice and hauing in two receptions. On the last Richard touch, he made his defender miss after catching a third-down pass, gaining a crucial last yard to set the Raiders up with 1st and goal at the 5-yard line.
Washington didn’t waste time after coming back into the game and ran it in from there to cap the drive, which itself ran 8:49 off the clock and set the tone for the second half, something the Raiders have struggled mightily to do.
Carr’s run in the first half capped another drive worthy of this column’s weekly honors. That 11-play march built momentum for the second half. But with the Raiders having been outscored in the third period 101 to 20 entering this game, the third-quarter effort gets the nod.
Gruden dismissed his club’s poor rushing numbers in the first half and put the drive in the hands of Jacobs’ backups, making what amounted to an adjustment after multiple pass-happy drives led by Carr.
It worked like a charm, instilling confidence in the Raiders while punching the Chargers in the chops, leading the way to victory and a possible playoff berth.
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