The Raiders are going to the playoffs -- and they’ve taken over first place in the AFC West.
They rallied to beat the Chargers Sunday, 19-16, to clinch their first playoff berth since 2002. A field goal by Sebastian Janikowski and a Reggie Nelson interception sealed it.
The Chargers had led, 16-13, late in the third quarter on a Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Hunter Henry. The Raiders won despite getting one touchdown in seven trips inside the Chargers’ 20-yard line because Janikowski made four field goals and the Chargers kept stalling.
It was 10-10 at halftime. Michael Crabtree’s 13-yard catch just before halftime stood as the Raiders’ only touchdown.
Rivers threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin on the game’s first drive. The Chargers missed the extra point after Henry’s touchdown, keeping the lead at three. The Chargers’ last four possessions ended with two punts and two turnovers.
The Raiders held the Chargers to 263 total yards. Both teams turned the ball over twice; the Raiders got the tying field goal following Kenneth Farrow’s fumble at the Chargers’ 14-yard line with 11:35 left.
The Raiders take over first place and the AFC’s No. 2 seed because the Chiefs lost to the Titans on Sunday. The Raiders finish vs. the Colts next week and at the Broncos on Jan. 1.
The Chargers fall to 5-9.
