Oakland Raiders vs. Refs/San Diego Chargers: Who Do You Think Won?

When people in the NFL Network said they couldn't understand why the Raiders spent so much on players like Tommy Kelly, DeAngelo Hall, Gibril Wilson, etc, I can understand it a bit now.

We didn't spend any time buying refs.

In today's game, sure, we had a 15-3 lead going into the fourth quarter. 15 is a nice amount of points, but not if you consider that we had four points ripped off of us for a phantom holding call on an end-zone drive.

We also got to see another form of insanity from Lane Kiffin, who wanted to waste 20 seconds so Janikowski could try an impossible kick. Why not do a sideline route, let someone catch and go out of bounds, and then go for one from say, 48? Better odds.

Then, the fourth quarter demons started in on us.

First was the rushing play by L.T. Yeah, I know, he supposedly owns us. He also was injured, and with a little holding, you too can score in the NFL. On this run, at least two players were held, from progression to the runner. Any flags?

Fat chance of that.

From there, it gets worse. After Oakland ties it up at 18 late in the game, the Raiders kick off, and the Chargers scamper for 63 yards from Sproles. Um, anyone remember Dante Hall? Going through the slowmo, you see four different illegal blocks, holding calls, and even a facemask.

No flags...But there's a good shot of Ref No. 81 picking his nose in the end zone.

Several plays later, the Chargers got to kick another field goal, going up 21-18. Oakland would have one last attempt to tie, failing at a 4th-and-5, and then the Chargers would tack on an extra TD...Again with holding, but again with no flags.

I'd also ask the grand question, for anyone who was at the game: Why is it when Oakland has the ball and a penalty is called, it's a false start, but if the Chargers have the ball, it's called offsides?

Shoot, we can't even buy a break at home.

Probably the best rant I'll finish with is against Kiffin and Ryan. Kiffin, why are you trying to pass on second and third downs when you can't get the first down? That's not smart coaching...That's called desperation playing. If you can't stay with the game for four quarters, quit, and we'll find someone more suited.

And Ryan...I don't care if Al Davis is your buddy. Prevent defense only prevents us from winning. Right now, Buddy Ryan could do a better job than you could.

At this stage in the season, we're not dead last. But unless some work is done, this team is in trouble...And I don't think fixing the coaches will help it.