Derek Carr, Raiders Beat Justin Herbert, Chargers in OT to Clinch 2022 Playoff Spot

Rob Goldberg @@TheRobGoldbergFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 10, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Chris Unger/Getty Images

A tie would've put both teams in the playoffs, but the Las Vegas Raiders played for the win and earned their postseason berth with a 35-32 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes to Hunter Renfrow in Sunday's Week 18 game at Allegiant Stadium, the final matchup of the 2021 NFL regular season.

A stretch of 19 straight points gave the Raiders a 29-14 advantage in the fourth quarter, but the game was far from over.

Herbert led the Chargers back from the dead with two straight touchdowns to force overtime:

NFL @NFL
ON 4TH AND 21. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoltUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoltUp</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/zR9n33RsQS">pic.twitter.com/zR9n33RsQS</a>

NFL @NFL
19 plays later... THE <a href="https://twitter.com/chargers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CHARGERS</a> TIE IT WITH NO TIME LEFT. 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/0T2hHlaWHJ">pic.twitter.com/0T2hHlaWHJ</a>

The Chargers converted five fourth downs on the final two drives of regulation.

It led to overtime in a situation where a tie would benefit both teams, but Las Vegas stayed aggressive to clinch the victory.

The Raiders scored first in the extra session with a Daniel Carlson field goal before Dustin Hopkins matched it for the Chargers. Even with one more chance to settle for the tie, Las Vegas drove into field goal range and ended it on a 47-yard field goal.

NFL @NFL
DANIEL CARLSON FOR THE WIN. What a way to end the 2021 season! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/LpERrW7WQ6">pic.twitter.com/LpERrW7WQ6</a>

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After a 6-7 start, the Raiders (10-7) closed the season with four straight wins under interim coach Rich Bisaccia to sneak into the playoffs. Las Vegas will be the No. 5 seed in the AFC and face a road matchup against the fourth-seeded Cincinnati Bengals.

It's the first postseason appearance for the organization since 2016, while the last playoff win came in January 2003.

The Chargers (9-8) fall short of the postseason for the third straight year despite 383 passing yards and three touchdowns from Justin Herbert.

Notable Performances

Derek Carr, QB, LVR: 20-36, 186 passing yards, 2 TDs

Josh Jacobs, RB, LVR: 26 carries, 132 rushing yards, 1 TD

Hunter Renfrow, WR, LVR: 4 catches, 13 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Justin Herbert, QB, LAC: 34-64, 383 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC: 16 carries, 64 rushing yards, 5 catches, 35 receiving yards, 2 total TDs

Mike Williams, WR, LAC: 9 catches, 119 receiving yards, 1 TD

Complete Roster Contributes to Raiders Win

The Raiders might not have had a superstar on either side of the ball this season, but there were a lot of players who had a hand in this victory with key plays when they mattered most.

Hunter Renfrow only had four catches in the game, but he made them count with two touchdowns.

Las Vegas Raiders @Raiders
Just disgusting, <a href="https://twitter.com/renfrowhunter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@renfrowhunter</a> 😱 10-0 in LV | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> | NBC <a href="https://t.co/FosvBiPOMg">pic.twitter.com/FosvBiPOMg</a>

NFL @NFL
Hunter Renfrow is too good at the goal line.<a href="https://twitter.com/Raiders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Raiders</a> lead 26-14. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bi3LqUJsqt">pic.twitter.com/Bi3LqUJsqt</a>

Tre Boston @TreBos10
One thing about Renfrow he don’t need much space. Surgeon with the Routes man! His Whip routes crazy! 🤯🔥

Joe Fann @Joe_Fann
Hunter Renfrow: infuriating to defend, fun as hell to watch

Foster Moreau and Bryan Edwards also had big plays in the passing attack:

NFL @NFL
Foster Moreau picks up 49 yards before fumbling out of bounds. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/BSVn8oXrBN">pic.twitter.com/BSVn8oXrBN</a>

NFL @NFL
Derek Carr drops a DIME. Raiders looking to extend their lead, up 20-14. 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/jwUZTJvpFn">pic.twitter.com/jwUZTJvpFn</a>

Josh Jacobs tallied 132 rushing yards and was especially dominant in overtime, although Jalen Richard and Marcus Mariota also had important runs to pick up first downs.

It helped the offense rack up points despite Derek Carr struggling at times with his accuracy.

There were also no shortage of defensive players who came through when needed, including Maxx Crosby, Denzel Perryman, Casey Hayward Jr. and more.

Daniel Carlson was arguably the most important person on the field with five made field goals, including two in overtime.

Las Vegas needed help from everyone on the roster to pull off the upset and nearly every player who saw a snap can say they played a role in the victory.

Costly Mistakes End Chargers Season

The talent on the roster has been unmistakeable this season, with Justin Herbert emerging as one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.

Herbert was outstanding in the fourth quarter and overtime to keep the Chargers alive, completing one key pass after another down the stretch.

Matt Leinart @MattLeinartQB
Herbert is the GOAT. I need his rookie card.

Ryan Clark @Realrclark25
This game is absolutely nuts!!! Justin Herbert is an Alien!

Jim Rome @jimrome
I've never seen anything like this. Herbert is clutch as hell

Dez Bryant @DezBryant
Herbert I’m a huge fan regardless of the outcome… you are a DAWG!

Austin Ekeler continued to have a nose for the end zone, scoring twice in the first half.

NFL @NFL
.<a href="https://twitter.com/AustinEkeler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustinEkeler</a> from 14 yards out! <a href="https://twitter.com/chargers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chargers</a> on the board. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoltUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoltUp</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/BP0LgfhUaJ">pic.twitter.com/BP0LgfhUaJ</a>

NFL @NFL
AUSTIN EKELER. 20 TDs this season. 2 tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoltUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoltUp</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/9gF4EluFz3">pic.twitter.com/9gF4EluFz3</a>

Even with this production, an overtime game often comes down to one or two mistakes by the eventual losing team. The Chargers had quite a few that cost them.

Los Angeles turned it over twice, including one on special teams.

NFL @NFL
Raiders recover the muffed punt at the LAC 23-yard line. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/xLAxs9mfB3">pic.twitter.com/xLAxs9mfB3</a>

Las Vegas Raiders @Raiders
The pressure forces the pick. You absolutely love to see it.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> | NBC | <a href="https://twitter.com/show_case29?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@show_case29</a> <a href="https://t.co/ddzV7gpDcl">pic.twitter.com/ddzV7gpDcl</a>

The penalties were also costly throughout the game, giving up 85 yards in the first half alone. The team finished with 10 penalties for 108 yards, allowing first downs on five of those calls.

Levi Damien @LeviDamien
Man. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a> have lost all their momentum they had gained earlier with just stupid penalties.

Myles Simmons @MylesASimmons
Chargers playing some remarkably undisciplined football with all the penalties.

There was still more than just run-of-the-mill miscues on Sunday night.

An especially embarrassing stretch came late in the first half when the defense essentially gifted the Raiders a touchdown. Jalen Richard somehow earned a first down on a 3rd-and-23 run before a long pass interference call led to a Josh Jacobs score.

Next Gen Stats @NextGenStats
Jalen Richard had just a 1.6% chance of gaining the first down when he received the handoff on this 23-yard run. The run increased the Raiders' win probability from 32% to 40%. The Raiders would take a 17-14 lead after scoring a TD later on the drive.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/IiFioCbTmD">pic.twitter.com/IiFioCbTmD</a>

Daniel Popper @danielrpopper
That's the second completely inexplicable DPI of the game for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a>. Just tackling dudes 40 yards downfield while the ball is in the air. This one leads to a TD.

The mistakes continued in the second half, including a stuffed fourth-down attempt deep in their own territory:

NFL @NFL
The <a href="https://twitter.com/Raiders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Raiders</a> make a 4th down stop at the LAC 18! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsLV</a> on NBC 📱: <a href="https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv">https://t.co/ApuDpKzsOv</a> <a href="https://t.co/szCUvVPsW2">pic.twitter.com/szCUvVPsW2</a>

Adding multiple dropped passes and a missed field goal, Los Angeles will have plenty to think about in the offseason.

Herbert played well enough to win the game, but the Chargers still fell short in disappointing fashion.