LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Chargers are above .500 for the first time in 2018. They defeated the Oakland Raiders 26-10 on Sunday, October 8.
The game started off slow. The Chargers started with the ball and drove down the field for a field goal. After both teams punted a couple of times, the Raiders tied the game with a field goal of their own. Halfway towards the end of the second quarter, Los Angeles began to build momentum.
On the fourth play of their drive, Los Angeles Rames quarterback Philip Rivers found running back Austin Ekeler in the flat. Ekeler took off for a 44-yard touchdown to make the score 10-3. On the Raiders next possession, Chargers safety Jahleel Addae recovered a Martavis Bryant fumble.
On 2nd and 6, Rivers found running back Melvin Gordon for a 34-yard gain. Gordon later punctuated the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Both teams would miss field goals on their ensuing possessions with a score of 17-3 at halftime.
The Chargers scored a field goal on their first drive of the second half to give themselves a 17-point lead. On the Raiders next drive, quarterback Derek Carr threw a critical interception. After hitting wide receiver Mike Williams for a 26-yard gain, Rivers threw a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Virgil Green. The touchdown gave Los Angeles a 26-3 lead as the game inched toward ending.
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson caught a TD, but it was not enough for the Raiders, as the Chargers won 26-10. The Chargers played a complete game and were in control from the start of kickoff. They will face the Cleveland Browns (2-2-1) on the road on Sunday, October 14.
QB Philip Rivers (LAC) finished 22/27 for 339 yards with 2 TDs. RB Melvin Gordon (LAC) finished 58 yards and a TD on 19 carries. QB Derek Carr (OAK) finished 24/33 for 268 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. WR Martavis Bryant (OAK) had 3 catches for 91 yards.