Not sure how many of you stayed up past midnight to watch this game, but given its playoff implications, I did. Given all that hinged on the outcome, it may have been the most compelling Sunday Night game of the year.
For those who didn't watch, the Raiders and Chargers would have both made the playoffs if the game ended in a tie. If either team won, the winner and the Steelers would go to the playoffs. Toward the end of regulation, the Chargers made one 4th down conversion after another (something like 6 of 7 for the game), and scored the game-tying TD with 0:00 on the clock to send the game to overtime.
The Raiders got the first possession of OT and kicked a FG. The Chargers then also kicked an overtime FG to tie it and give the Raiders one last possession with about 2:00 to go in OT. Their drive stalled around midfield and with about 0:30 to go, it looked like the Raiders were just going to let the clock run out. Again, had that happened, both teams would've made the playoffs, so neither had anything to gain by taking any chances.
For some reason, Brandon Staley (Charger HC) called a timeout when the Raiders had 3rd down and appeared to be ready to just run out the clock. So instead of doing nothing, the Raiders hand the ball to Josh Jacobs, who tears off about 20 yards and puts the Raiders in FG range. They make the winning kick as time expires, sending themselves and the Steelers to the playoffs.
For those who watched, do you think the Raiders were just going to sit on the ball and run out the clock prior to Staley's timeout?
For those who didn't watch, the Raiders and Chargers would have both made the playoffs if the game ended in a tie. If either team won, the winner and the Steelers would go to the playoffs. Toward the end of regulation, the Chargers made one 4th down conversion after another (something like 6 of 7 for the game), and scored the game-tying TD with 0:00 on the clock to send the game to overtime.
The Raiders got the first possession of OT and kicked a FG. The Chargers then also kicked an overtime FG to tie it and give the Raiders one last possession with about 2:00 to go in OT. Their drive stalled around midfield and with about 0:30 to go, it looked like the Raiders were just going to let the clock run out. Again, had that happened, both teams would've made the playoffs, so neither had anything to gain by taking any chances.
For some reason, Brandon Staley (Charger HC) called a timeout when the Raiders had 3rd down and appeared to be ready to just run out the clock. So instead of doing nothing, the Raiders hand the ball to Josh Jacobs, who tears off about 20 yards and puts the Raiders in FG range. They make the winning kick as time expires, sending themselves and the Steelers to the playoffs.
For those who watched, do you think the Raiders were just going to sit on the ball and run out the clock prior to Staley's timeout?
