Chargers Rally To Beat Raiders

The Chargers started the fourth quarter down 15-3 to the Raiders, score 25 points and win the game 28-18 which is the positive note for the Chargers in a game that they looked sloppy offensively and extremely loose on defense.

The Charger defense allowed the Raiders to move the ball at will during the first half...a continuing trend for the Chargers.  Cromartie had another game in which he didn't seem to play well with a couple of penalties and a couple of poor defensive plays.  The Charger offensive line was absolutely horrible, the Raiders had consistent pressure on Phillip Rivers and although the stat line for Tomlinson looks pretty good (106 yards, 2 td's) the Raider defense had stopped Tomlinson (and his backup Sproles) for most of the game until a 41 yard late in the game essentially iced the game.  Tomlinson also dropped an easy pass that would likely have had him scoring again as he was wide open inside the red zone.  Tomlinson and Rivers also had a miscue in the first half where they were unable to make a handoff exchange in their own endzone which gave the Raiders a safety.  And just as kicker Nate Kaeding was beginning to be noticed for his accuracy as a kicker he misses 2 field goal attempts.

So how did the Chargers win this game?  Two Raider turnovers in the second half, with the second being a fumble recovering for the Chargers inside Raider territory.  The defense was able to get pressure on Jemarcus Russell in the fourth quarter and the defensive coverage seemed good...something that was lacking for most of the game.

Of course the Charger fan will take the win but at the same time realize that Ted Cottrell continues to be fairly predictable in the beginning of games and as a result, the Chargers have had to come from behind in almost every game this season...and at the very least, with the exception of the Jets game, the Chargers have not been able to dominate anyone on both sides of the ball.

The Chargers are on the road again next week, traveling to Miami to face the Dolphins.  The Dolphins will be fresh off their bye week after an unbelievable win over the Patriots.  So the Chargers best be prepared because the Dolphins are not a guaranteed win for anyone...