Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders' TNF matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers on the night before Christmas where in an emotional game of epic proportions and that lasted almost over three hours, the Raiders eventually prevailed and they win it for Charles Woodson, beating the Chargers 20-23 in OT.
First off, Merry Christmas Raider Nation! I hope you guys are having a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with your friends and family. To all the East Coast fans, Merry Christmas to you guys as it is 12 midnight and I'm sure you guys are unwrapping all your presents while us West Coast guys have to wait three more hours to unwrap our gifts. Onto this game, Raider Nation, this was the best Christmas present we can ask for: a win on Christmas Eve and definitely, this is the best present C-Wood can ever ask for. This game was an emotional one of epic proportions. Not only is this Woodson's last game, but it could possibly be the last game in Oakland, so there would be tears in the stands. The way the game was played out, it took the life out of us and credit where credit is due, the Chargers' defense tightened things up here for this game and kept the offense in check. But, like I said in the halftime post, the defense needed a play and late in the 4th, they managed to force a fumble to get the Raiders back into it. Grueling game, but it ended in jubilation with a W.
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Latavius Murray, 19 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD, 6 receptions, 62 yards. I think this was Murray's best all-around game of the season. You guys could argue the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets games were Murray's best, but this game against the Chargers, he wasn't just used in the running game, but in the passing and caught a perfect 6 receptions off 6 targets. Though many said he had one of the best hands out of the backfield, he just couldn't show it because the football was bouncing off his finger tips or he was catching with his chest. He fully demonstrated the use of his hands and catching ability out of the backfield. Not to mention, he broke 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. It was a good, balanced, all-around game for the "Tay Train."
Defense. How the defense was able to hold the Chargers to 20 points was beyond me. The D-line wasn't getting any pressure on Rivers, the secondary was getting picked apart like an apple tree all game. It also didn't help that they made some untimely penalties after making a 3rd down stop, but they hung around. Malcolm Smith and Ben Heeney were tackling machines out there. Smith recorded 14 total tackles, Heeney added 9 tackles. Like I said, I hate the philosophy of "bend, but don't break" on defense, but a timely turnover in the 4th was that's needed to provide a spark for the Raiders and they delivered again to win the game off a 4th and 3 play in OT.
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Penalties. 15 penalties for 121 yards. Most of it were due to false starts and holdings. The O-line as a whole didn't play their best this game and they were accountable for most of those penalties because of false start and holding calls against them. The way this game played out, it reminded me a whole lot of 2011 when the Raiders set the record for most penalties in a season. It's a mixture that Del Rio needs to discipline these guys and the refs need to quit throwing flags on literally every snap of each play.
Offensive playcalling. Personally after this game, I don't know if Bill Musgrave is the long-term answer for this offense that has so much talent on the field. I will note out the O-line's poor performance this game and Amari Cooper's injury as reasons why the offense couldn't get anything going. But Musgrave's calling didn't help any way either. 2nd and long or 3rd and long, what does Musgrave draw up? A checkdown, a screen pass, a quick throw that just generates minimal gains when the Raiders have so much ground to cover up to extend the drive and get a first down. Despite cashing in on the turnover to tie the game up and the long first drive in OT that set up Sebass' field goal, the offensive playcalling was lackluster and uninspiring all game long.
Conclusion
Overall, the Raiders didn't play a clean game, but against all odds, they did just enough to get a W. The Chargers blew a lot of games this season, but hey, the Raiders blew a lot of games too that they could've won. It was a matter which team could finish the game and luckily the Raiders got on the winning side after the Chargers pretty much dominated the whole game, but they couldn't put the game away. It was ugly, but a win is a win and Charles Woodson walks out a winner in the Raiders' final home game in Oakland.
Let me take the time to say this personally: Charles Woodson, C-Wood, when I was a kid, still understanding the game of football, I didn't understand how great you were in your first go around with the Raiders. You made some plays, but I couldn't jog them in my memory. When you returned to Oakland after establishing yourself as a champion and a leader in Green Bay, your return gave me a chance to witness your greatness as a young adult Raider fan who possessed more commitment and more knowledge about the game of football and I savored every second of it. Your return to Oakland was exactly what the Raider organization needed. It was a symbol of hope, a symbol of change, a symbol that would ignite the renaissance of Raiders football. Though it sucks you can't return for another year in to be a part the great turnaround, we, the Raider Nation are glad that this change in restoring the pride and glory of Raiders football started when you returned before you called it a career. You truly are one of the greatest to play the game of football and most definitely, you are a first ballot Hall of Famer. We'll see you in Canton, Ohio with that gold jacket on in the near future.
Thank You...
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