The result was good for fans of the Chargers. But fans of exciting, crisp, well-played football did not enjoy watching it.
The Chargers beat the Raiders 26-10 in front of a severely pro-Oakland crowd at StubHub Center in Carson. Among the customers in attendance (although he probably didn’t have to pay) was NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who saw first-hand how little impact the team from San Diego has had in Los Angeles.
The first quarter was uneventful and ended with a 3-0 Chargers lead. The Raiders tied it with a field goal in the 2nd period after having the ball 1st and goal from the 5-yard line. Missed opportunities would haunt the Raiders all afternoon.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers caught Oakland on a blitz and found Austin Ekeler for a short pass that the running back turned into a 44-yard touchdown with a new nifty moves in the open field to put the Chargers on top 10-3.
On the very next play Raiders QB Derek Carr found wideout Martavis Bryant for a big gain … until linebacker Jatavis Brown knocked the ball loose and safety Jahleel Addae recovered it near midfield. The ensuing drive ended with running back Melvin Gordon plowing into the end zone from the 1-yard line for a 17-3 halftime lead.
Chargers kicker Caleb Sturgis, who was not substantially better with new punter Donnie Jones holding for him, made a 30-yard kick to make it a 20-3 game. Sturgis also hit from 49 yards but missed a 48-yard try and an extra point.
Oakland’s last chance to get back into it was thrown away in the 3rd quarter. On 1st and goal from the one Carr faked a handoff to Marshawn Lynch and threw a pass right into the face of linebacker Melvin Ingram in the end zone for an interception. On the very next play Rivers lofted a perfect pass to Tyrell Williams from his own 4-yard line for a 48 yard gain. Rivers finished the drive with a 13-yard TD pass to tight end Virgil Green to make it a 26-3 game.
At 3-2 the Chargers are over .500 after Week 5 for the first time since 2014 when they opened the season 5-1 (and failed to make the playoffs with a late-season collapse). The Raiders fall to 1-4.
