Chargers Survive In Oakland

Week 1 in the NFL is in the books and the Chargers eek out a win in Oakland.

The Chargers, who last season lost their first game to Carolina in last second fashion turned the tables on the Raiders and won by scoring with 18 seconds left in the game.

The Chargers, though, shouldn't have been in the 'come from behind' role that they were in...The Chargers had the lead at 17-13 with 2:34 to go and the Raiders with a 4th and 15 on their own 43 and 1 timeout ... the Chargers stop the Raiders there and the game is all but over...instead, DB Antonio Cromartie and safety Clinton Hart let a Raider just run down the field, catch a wide open pass and walk into the end zone with not so much as a love-tap to slow him up. I was completely disgusted upon seeing that... both Cromartie and Hart began to point at each other as the ball was in the air as to say "You take him" to each other as the Raider receiver couldn't have been gifted an easier touchdown...on a 4th and 15 play...it is unacceptable.

Even though the Chargers came out with the win there were several aspects of the game that they were soundly beaten at...namely when the Chargers had the ball the offensive line was awful. For the entire game the Raiders needed to only rush their 4 down linemen because they easily over-powered the front 5 of the Chargers. Rivers was pressured and sacked routinely when dropping back to pass. The Charger rushing game was almost non-existent...Tomlinson was on the sidelines for most of the 2nd half with Sproles seeing most of the action. When the Charger offensive line wasn't getting beat and bullied they were most likely getting penalized or injured.

On the defensive side of the ball... I think the Raiders could have beaten the Chargers if they would have stuck with the run...from the beginning the Raiders were able to run the ball with ease...McFadden and Bush for the Raiders tore up the Chargers defense in the first half and then the Raiders seemed to all but give up on the run in the 2nd half. The Raiders were also robbed of a touchdown before the half...initially called a touchdown then reviewed - and it took a long time to review, when that happens you know something is fishy - it was overturned. I watched the replay several times from each angle and still have no idea how that wasn't a touchdown...but the Chargers get screwed by that type of bullshit all the time so I'm not to sad to see it happen to some other team now.

Merriman's first regular season back with the Chargers was mostly unimpressive. Got to see him have a couple of mistackles...but he did get pressure on Russell on a few plays but overall the Chargers pass rush was minimal. Russell, for the Raiders, oftentimes had plenty of time in the pocket...if he wasn't such a poor passer, a more proficient quarterback would have likely dissected the Charger secondary. Quentin Jammer, a DB that has traditionally been a solid cover guy but rarely getting interceptions picked of Russell on the opening drive that had the Raiders driving towards the endzone...

Vincent Jackson had a respectable game and Antonio Gates made big plays when they were needed...filling their roles nicely. Legedu Naanee was a pleasant surprise making some key catches and big plays. Cris Chambers was non-existent...not sure if he got hurt but certainly had no impact during the game.

Overall the Chargers leave Oakland with a win...that's the good news. The downside to that is that it is clear the offensive line and the defense (as a whole) need work to get into form.

Next week they play Baltimore at home...a team that struggled to win against the Chiefs. The Chargers have a short week so they won't have much time to savor this win and the Ravens have traditionally been a 'smashmouth' football team so it likely won't be a cakewalk for the Chargers...win or lose...