Chargers notes: ‘Terrible’ day for D; Rivers’ record
Jerry Attaochu did it.
He dragged down Derek Carr and stripped the Raiders quarterback, recovering the fumble with less than two minutes left in regulation. The turnover figured to give the Chargers possession with the lead, deep in opponent territory.
That was before the flag.
Go figure.
San Diego’s pass rush was uncommonly quiet Sunday in a 31-28 win over the Raiders. Its biggest impact play was negated, the second-round rookie outside linebacker flagged for a face mask penalty on a snap that could’ve sealed the result.
Cornerback Jason Verrett’s interception did instead three plays later.
“We played terrible today on defense,” outside linebacker Jarret Johnson said. “This is the game that every team has, but we figured out a way to win it, and it fires me up. I hope we learn from it. “
A week earlier, the Jets’ longest play against the Chargers was for 13 yards.
On the third play Sunday, Carr hit wide receiver Andre Holmes in stride for a 77-yard score.
San Diego sent five rushers.
Cornerback Brandon Flowers and safety Jahleel Addae were in man coverage. They got crossed up on a route combination, Addae squeezing through the tight area between Flowers and Holmes, separating Flowers however briefly from his man.
He didn’t recover.
Carr, a rookie first-round pick, deserves credit for some big-time throws, be it to his receivers’ back shoulder or otherwise. San Diego allowed six touchdown passes its first five games before Carr tossed four Sunday.
“He played really well,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “He was efficient, making some checks, handling things at the line. He showed great poise. I don’t know him at all. He’s got a heck of a career if he keeps this up.”
Long streaks
Rivers has never been on a roll like this.
No NFL quarterback ever has.
Along with guiding a go-ahead touchdown drive, he also secured his fifth straight game with at least a quarterback rating above 120. That streak is longest in league history.
Rivers was previously tied with Kurt Warner (2009) and Johnny Unitas (1965) at four straight games, while with at least 15 attempts. Rivers was the only one to do it with at least 20.
Kicker Nick Novak also prolonged a streak.
He made his 29th straight field goal, tying him with John Carney for the franchise record. It came on 30-yarder in the fourth quarter, bringing the Chargers to within four points and setting up the final score differential.
Earlier, Novak made a career-long 54-yard try.
A holding call took it off the board.
Injuries
The Chargers lost two impact players in the third quarter.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal (rib) and cornerback Brandon Flowers (groin) exited the game with injuries. Neither returned, but it would be premature to characterize the injuries as severe.
Royal fell hard to the ground on a deep 20-yard catch on third-and-11. Seyi Ajirotutu largely worked in his place.
Flowers was injured away from the action on a Carr incomplete pass. It’d be difficult to overstate the veteran’s impact this season. Should he miss any time, the upside would be that Shareece Wright (knee) is considered to be in good position to play Sunday against the Chiefs.
Wright has missed two games.
Richard Marshall worked in Flowers’ place. Verrett left briefly in the third quarter due to an undisclosed injury. Rookie Chris Davis saw his first career action.
Nuts ‘n’ Bolts
-Before signing Tuesday, Ronnie Brown was away from the Chargers for several months. It didn’t look that way. “I tried to make it like that,” Brown said. “Seems like that, feels like it.” He saw heavy work on third down, converting a third-and-9 in the third quarter for a 24-yard gain. Earlier, he lined up as a fullback and converted third-and-1 on a short run.
-A bus transporting the Chargers was egged upon arrival at O.co Coliseum. General Manager Tom Telesco and some players were among those aboard. The team laughed off the gesture.
-The Chargers continued to rotate at right guard between Johnnie Troutman and Chris Watt.
-Raiders wide receiver Vincent Brown didn’t face his former team. He tweaked his hamstring Friday in practice and was considered to be a game-time decision. Brown was released in August.
Chargers at Raiders
- Jason Verrett caps wild Chargers win
- Chargers report card: Raiders fade
- Acee: Chargers escape from their past
- Calkins: What we learned about the Chargers
- Chargers-Raiders, Instant Analysis
- Chargers-Raiders, quarter by quarter
- Yikes: Weddle discusses fake punt
- It’s safe to say Oliver is for real
- Chargers notes: Carr impresses
