Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 Las Vegas Raiders: Justin Herbert scores game-winning touchdown to dent Raiders' playoff hopes
Raiders lost starting quarterback Derek Carr to a groin injury in the first quarter, while backup Marcus Mariota - the No 2 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 Draft - threw for 226 yards, one touchdown and an interception in his firs meaningful action for Las Vegas
Friday 18 December 2020 11:00, UK
Justin Herbert scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime as the Los Angeles Chargers dealt a severe blow to the Las Vegas Raiders' playoff hopes with a 30-27 victory on Thursday night.
Herbert was hugely impressive throughout, completing 22 of 32 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns - tying Baker Mayfield's rookie touchdown record of 27 in the process - and he broke into the endzone for a third score on third-and-goal from the one-yard line inside the final two minutes of the extra period.
- Chargers passing: Justin Herbert, 22/32, 314 yards, 2 TDs
- Rushing leader: Austin Ekeler, 13 carries, 60 yards
- Receiving leader: Jalen Guyton, four catches, 91 yards
It ensured a fourth defeat in five for the Raiders (7-7), who suffered a further blow with the loss of their starting quarterback Derek Carr to a groin injury in the first quarter.
Backup Marcus Mariota - the No 2 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 Draft - was outstanding in his meaningful action for Las Vegas after his arrival in the offseason. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and an interception, while also rushing for 88 yards and a TD on nine carries.
- Raiders passing: Marcus Mariota, 17/28, 226 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing leader: Josh Jacobs, 29 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving leader: Darren Waller, nine catches, 150 yards, 1 TD
Despite his impressive display, Mariota's pick looked like it might have gifted the Chargers the win, coming inside the two-minute warning, with the scores tied at 24-24, setting L.A. up with great field position at the Raiders' 33-yard line.
But, the Chargers, whose fatal flaw this season has been costly errors late on to lose one-score games, fluffed their lines again, with Herbert taking a costly sack on third-and-two - the eight-yard loss resulting in a trickier 51-yard field goal - and Michael Badgley, who also missed a kick from 47 on their previous series, again misfired wide left.
In overtime, Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson put Las Vegas ahead with a 23-yard field goal, but it was not to be enough as Herbert took charge on the game-winning drive, picking out Jalen Guyton deep with a 53-yard pass to help set up his winning score.
Guyton had four catches for 91 yards and Hunter Henry and Tyron Johnson each had touchdown catches for the Chargers. Keenan Allen, who saw limited action because of a hamstring injury, caught one pass to give hit the 100-catch mark for the third time in his career.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller had nine receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown in an impressive outing and Josh Jacobs rushed for 76 yards and a score on 26 carries.
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