After back-to-back road games, the Oakland Raiders are back at home Sunday to take on the San Diego Chargers in their first AFC West game of the young season.
The Silver and Black have not played at home since mid-September, and will have their hands full with Philip Rivers and Co., at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Pregame
Following the team's "Fast Friday" session, Head Coach Jack Del Rio officially ruled running back Latavius Murray out with a toe injury, along with safety Nate Allen, and tackle Menelik Watson.
The other four inactive players were quarterback Connor Cook, running back Taiwan Jones, offensive lineman Matt McCants, and tight end Clive Walford.
After signing with the Raiders Tuesday, Perry Riley, Jr. earned the start at linebacker in Sunday's matchup with the Chargers.
The captains for today's clash with the Chargers are center Rodney Hudson, safety Reggie Nelson, quarterback Derek Carr, defensive end Khalil Mack, and linebacker Daren Bates.
The Chargers won the toss, and elected to defer to the second half.
First Quarter
After running a handful of plays, the Raiders first drive of the day has ended prematurely after Carr dropped back on 2nd and 10, and his pass intended for DeAndré Washington was picked off by Brandon Mebane.
However, the interception would not come back to haunt the Silver and Black, as newcomer Perry Riley, Jr. forced a fumble that the Raiders defense was able to recover deep in their own territory.
The Raiders were able to take advantage of the gift, as Carr orchestrated an 87-yard, sixteen-play drive that was capped off with a 20-yard field goal from Sebastian Janikowski.
After Janikowski's successful kick, the Raiders have taken an early 3-0 lead with 4:00 left in the first quarter.
On the very next play from scrimmage, Philip Rivers looked deep for wide receiver Travis Benjamin, but Sean Smith picked off the pass, securing one of the more-impressive interceptions of the young season.
After he gathered possession, Smith began advancing the ball, eventually running out of bounds at the Raiders 40-yard line.
The Silver and Black weren't able to get any points off the turnover though, as Janikowski's 50-yard attempt sailed wide right
With 1:27 left in the first quarter, the Raiders lead 3-0.
The Chargers are on the move, but at the end of the first quarter, the Raiders still lead 3-0.
Second Quarter
The Chargers have taken the lead 7-3 with 13:07 left in the second quarter, after Rivers found Tyrell Williams running down the seam for a 29-yard touchdown.
The Raiders were able to answer on their next possession though, in the form of a 26-yard field goal from Sebastian Janikowski, so with 7:13 left in the first half, the Silver and Black now trail 7-6.
A 54-yard reception by Travis Benjamin put the Chargers just outside the red zone, but San Diego could not finish the drive with a touchdown.
Instead, they settled for a 36-yard field goal by Josh Lambo to extend their lead to 10-6 with 4:24 left in the first half.
INJURY UPDATE: Guard Vadal Alexander is questionable to return with an ankle injury.
With just under 2:00 left in the second quarter, Rivers attempted to connect with Dontrelle Inman, but put just a little too much air under the pass, which allowed Karl Joseph ample time to get in position and secure the interception.
The rookie then proceeded to return the ball 21 yards to the Chargers 44-yard line.
The Silver and Black were able to get some points off the turnover, as Janikowski connected from 56 yards out on the final play of the first half.
At halftime, the Raiders now trail 10-9 and will kick the ball to the Chargers to start the second half.
While Rivers has been able to find some success through the air, the Raiders have done a good job of eliminating the ground attack from the Chargers arsenal.
At the half, running back Melvin Gordon has just six carries for 18 yards.
Third Quarter
On the opening drive of the second half, Rivers found his tight end Hunter Henry for a gain of 59 yards, which positioned the Bolts just outside the red zone.
Two plays later, Rivers found Gordon for an 18-yard touchdown pass that extended the San Diego lead to 17-9 with 12:31 remaining in the third quarter.
The Raiders needed an answer, and boy, did Amari Cooper provide one.
On the Silver and Black's first offensive possession of the second half, Carr dropped back and found Cooper streaking down the sideline for a 64-yard touchdown completion.
Janikowski added the PAT, so with 11:25 remaining in the third quarter, the Raiders have cut into the Chargers lead, making the score 17-16.
In the early stages of the third quarter, Cooper now has six catches for 138 yards, and one touchdown.
However, the score would not stay that way for long, as Rivers quickly engineered a 75-yard, three-play drive that was punctuated by a one-yard touchdown reception by Hunter Henry.
With the successful PAT, the Chargers are now up 24-16 with 10:10 left in the third quarter.
The Raiders were able to get three points back on their next drive, as Janikowski connected on a 48-yard field to bring the score to 24-19 in favor of the Chargers with 4:41 left in the third quarter.
Have a day, Perry Riley.
With just under 4:00 left in the third quarter, the veteran linebacker forced his second fumble of the day, and this one was recovered by Karl Joseph at the Chargers 38.
Derek Carr and the offense made sure to make the most of the opportunity, as the quarterback found Crabtree for a 21-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 2. Head Coach Del Rio elected to go for the two-point conversion, and Cooper hauled in the pass from Carr to vault the Silver and Black back ahead 27-24 with 1:09 left in the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, the Raiders own a 27-24 lead, and will take over possession at the Chargers 32-yard line when play resumes.
Fourth Quarter
The Raiders have been able to extend their lead, as Jamize Olawale barreled in from one yard out with 12:51 left in regulation.
After Janikowski's successful PAT, the Silver and Black now lead the Chargers 34-24.
The Chargers won't be going quietly though, as Rivers has just connected on a four-yard touchdown pass with Antonio Gates with 6:21 left in the fourth quarter.
The PAT was good, and the Raiders now lead 34-31.
The Chargers had a chance to tie the game right before the two-minute warning, but punter Drew Kaser couldn't control the snap, and kicker Josh Lambo wasn't able to get a chance to kick the football.
The Silver and Black now take over possession at their own 25-yard line with 2:00 left.
The Raiders punted the ball back to Rivers with 0:20 left in the game, but the Chargers final effort came up short, and the Raiders beat San Diego 34-31.
