SAN DIEGO – Raiders defensive backs started waving their arms up and down, inviting the crowd the bring the noise. Fans responded well, with a supportive roar honoring a job well done while making life harder on a Chargers offense deep in its own territory.
That should happen at O.co Coliseum. Not on the road.
Sunday was an exception to that rule. Raiders fans showed up in droves, outnumbering Chargers faithful by the end of a 37-29 victory that was never that close.
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“It really felt like a home game,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “You have to give credit to our fans. I’m saying that to give credit to them. It felt like a home game for us, and we really appreciate that.”
Cheers for Raiders success were louder than Chargers thrills most of the game, especially after a strong start from the Silver and Black. A heavy fan following is typical when the Raiders play in San Diego, the closest NFL site for the Raiders’ large Southern California fan base established when they played in Los Angeles from 1982-94.
[INSTANT REPLAY: Carr, Raiders torch Chargers on road]
The Raiders’ expansive fan base makes them attractive to a Los Angeles market that could become home for one or two teams, with the Raiders, Chargers and St. Louis Rams vying for a spot in the country’s second-largest media market.
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Raiders players were only concerned with advantage provided in Sunday’s game.
“We knew going in that we were going to have a good following,” running back Latavius Murray said. “It helps, it really does, to have a bit of a home game on the road. It’s huge, and it’s good to come away from that with a win.”
Signs of a pro-Raiders crowd was evident in the parking lot, and it became clear to the players early in this game.
“We had a big run early and I heard the crowd go nuts,” linebacker Malcolm Smith said. “I was suddenly confused, because I thought they would be cheering for someone else. It was interesting.”