What a game, Daniel Carlson kicked another walk-off field goal to win the 32-35 overtime Chargers vs Raiders Week 18 matchup and finish the season in postseason standing. What a way to finish the last game of the NFL season. The Las Vegas Raiders are going to the playoffs!
Last night’s win marks the fifth time this season where the Raiders won on the last play of the game. Talk about clutch. This time around, the Raiders were victorious against their AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers.
Derek Carr didn’t have his best game with just 20 passing completions on 36 attempts but kept the Silver & Black in the fight with two touchdowns, both to receiver Hunter Renfrow. Renfrow’s 110th catch of the season came near the end of the 1st quarter on a clean shimmy left and into the endzone. You would think Renfrow ran for over 100 yards once more but he was limited to only 13 yards for the game.
Chargers vs Raiders Week 18 | 2021 Season Highlights
Three Raiders players averaged more than 5 rushing yards per carry last night. Running back Jalen Richard and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota made the most out of their 6 total carries for 47 total yards. Josh Jacobs was fed 26 times and racked up 132 yards and a touchdown. Staying true to his word, Jacobs mentioned earlier this week that he was going to play tough even with his lingering rib injury.
“You feel it when you breathe, I get winded and I feel it,” said Jacobs. “It was just one of them games, I was constantly talking to myself each play getting helped up off the ground. I was talking to myself like ‘it’s this much time on the clock, this is what we need.’ I would have felt like I let my team down if I went out there and let the pain get to me and gave up.”
The Chargers came back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to score two late touchdowns, including a 83-yard drive completed by Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s touchdown pass to receiver Mike Williams. Herbert finished with 383 yards and 3 touchdowns. Star running back Austin Ekeler was able to nail in his 20th touchdown for the 2022 season. The Chargers vs Raiders game went to overtime after kicker Dustin Hopkins’ extra point for Los Angeles.
Both teams completed their overtime field goals before the Raiders began their last scoring drive possession for the golden goal. To keep their playoff hopes alive, Carr found receiver Zay Jones on a 3rd & 8 near the sideline chalk for a first down. Jacobs handled a few more rushes to bring the Raiders to the 29 yard line and set up the 47-yard game-winning field goal for Carlson. And that’s 47-yards to the dome.
In a semi-short week, the Las Vegas Raiders will play in the first round of the AFC playoffs in their wildcard matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals this Saturday, January 15 at Paul Brown Stadium.
Chargers vs Raiders Week 18 Summary
Chargers vs Raiders Matchup History
Read more Las Vegas Raiders 2021 Season Highlights:
Week 17 – Raiders vs Colts
Week 16 – Broncos vs Raiders
Week 15 – Raiders vs Browns