Raiders Fail to Spoil Bolts' Playoff Hopes

Alright welcome in to the full recap of the penultimate game of the season between the Raiders and the San Diego Chargers where the Raiders couldn't play the spoilers as they fell to the Chargers 13-26.

Very frustrating game overall. That last play where Reece had a chance to haul the ball in for a TD off an errant throw by Matt McGloin on 4th down, could've cut it to 6 and recover an onside, but it didn't happen so it was very frustrating to see.

This game there were no positives. Aside from Rashad Jennings and Andre Holmes. Jennings had 10 carries for 45 yards and Holmes had 5 receptions for 71 yards. You know it's weird when Darren McFadden is the Raiders' top performer with 4 carries on 8 yards and 1 TD. McFadden is likely gone by the end of the season, but hey if he's willing to accept less money, he could be used as short red zone situations, but the way he performed in his contract year, it is likely we won't retain him next season.

Onto the negatives, what an awful game in terms of penalties. 12 penalties for 73 yards. A lot of false starts, holding, illegal formation, taunting, the Raiders gift wrapped the Chargers with extended field position. The last play where Mychal Rivera line up in the line of scrimmage when the Raiders were driving for the final play hurt, the back to back penalties on Mike Jenkins hurt, Veldheer's false start and hold deep in our territory hurt. The Raiders of old have come back to possess these young players who are playing for a contract next season and it'll pretty much hurt their report card once we start re-evaluating talent by the end of the season.

Overall, short recap. Nothing I can say on where the Raiders did right this game. Denver is coming up next in the home and season finale. I don't know how John Fox is gonna manage the last game because they did clinch the AFC West, but it looks like he'll keep Peyton Manning on the field since the Patriots are keeping pace for the #1 seed. Hopefully the home sells out, if not, then that's understandable because there's nothing left to prove in the final game of the season. I'll see you guys on Christmas Day in the Lakers' home game against the 2x defending champion, Miami Heat.