It's pretty simple for the Oakland Raiders today; win and you're in.
If the Silver and Black are able to take care of business this afternoon and beat Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders will punch their ticket to the postseason tournament for the first time since 2002.
Both the Raiders and the Chargers are coming off of losses in their last games, and the Silver and Black need a win today to remain in striking distance of the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs.
Pregame:
Following the team's Friday practice, Head Coach Jack Del Rio ruled linebacker Shilique Calhoun, safety Karl Joseph, and defensive tackle Stacy McGee out of Sunday's contest against the Bolts due to injury.
Since Joseph is still unable to hit the field today, once again I'd expect to see veteran safety Nate Allen step up and take a majority of the reps with Reggie Nelson on the back end of the Raiders defense.
The inactive players for today's game against the Chargers are as follows:
Quarterback Connor Cook
Cornerback Antonio Hamilton
Safety Karl Joseph
Guard Vadal Alexander
Guard Denver Kirkland
Linebacker Shilique Calhoun
Defensive tackle Stacy McGee
The captains for today's game against the Chargers are quarterback Derek Carr, defensive end Khalil Mack, center Rodney Hudson, safety Reggie Nelson, and wide receiver Andre Holmes.
The Silver and Black won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half.
First Quarter:
The Chargers have struck first, as Philip Rivers has quickly engineered an eight-play, 91-yard drive that was capped by a 47-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin.
The PAT was good, so with 10:32 left in the first quarter, the Chargers lead the Raiders 7-0.
The Raiders have gotten on the scoreboard though, as Sebastian Janikowski has just connected on a 45-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 with 4:53 left in the first quarter.
After forcing a punt, the Silver and Black worked their way into the red zone, but a fumble by running back Latavius Murray has now given the ball back to the Chargers at their own nine-yard line with 1:44 left in the first quarter.
Second Quarter:
Once again the Raiders drove into the red zone, but once again they have come up empty.
Facing a 3rd and 6, Carr dropped back, but his pass was intercepted by Trovon Reed, so the Chargers have taken over possession at their own nine-yard line with 9:49 left in the second quarter.
We've come to the two-minute warning, and when play resumes the Chargers will be facing a 3rd and 7 at the Raiders 31-yard line.
The Chargers have extended their lead courtesy of a 35-yard field goal by Josh Lambo.
The Bolts now lead 10-3 with 1:29 left in the second quarter.
We're now heading into halftime tied at 10-10, after Michael Crabtree was able to come down with a 13-yard touchdown pass thrown by Carr.
Janikowski added the PAT, to bring the score even with 0:22 left in the first half.
The Chargers ran the clock out, so at the half, we're all tied up at 10-10.
The Raiders will receive the ball after halftime.
Third Quarter:
The Silver and Black have now taken their first lead of the ballgame after Janikowski just connected on a 33-yard field goal.
With the score, the Raiders now lead 13-10 with 10:48 left in the third quarter.
However, the lead was short lived for Head Coach Jack Del Rio's team, as Philip Rivers just orchestrated a seven-play, 77-yard drive that was punctuated by a seven-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry.
However, Josh Lambo missed the PAT, so with 6:14 left in the third quarter, the Chargers now lead 16-13.
The teams exchanged punts for the rest of the third quarter, so as we head into the final frame, the Chargers still lead 16-13.
When play resumes, the Raiders will face a 1st and 5 from their own 27-yard line.
Fourth Quarter:
The Raiders were able to force a turnover deep in San Diego territory, and after a successful 21-yard field goal by Janikowski, we're once again tied, this time at 16-16.
With 8:38 left in regulation, it looks like we're in store for yet another exciting finish between these two AFC West rivals.
The Raiders defense was able to force another San Diego punt, so with 6:27 left in the fourth quarter, the Silver and Black took over possession at their own 20-yard line.
Carr drove the team the length of the field, and while the Raiders weren't able to get in the end zone, a 44-yard field goal by Janikowski had now given them a 19-16 lead with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter.
With two minutes left, the Chargers are now facing a 3rd and 15 from their own nine-yard line.
Rivers couldn't convert on third down, and on 4th and 15, he threw a pass that was intercepted by Reggie Nelson.
The Raiders ran the clock out, and won the Week 15 game 19-16.
