The Raiders headed into the Monday Night Football game as the only undefeated team left in the AFC and one of the two undefeated teams in the entire league. The game saw them facing their first division challenge and it was against a team that had just beat the Kansas City Chiefs, who had been in the Superbowl the last two year running.
Win and they would be a game clear atop the AFC West and two games ahead of the Chargers and Chiefs. With a loss the Chargers would have a two-zero division record that would put them top of the division.
Like the Dolphins game the week before, the Raiders slipped to a two-touchdown deficit, but unlike last week they then fell further behind. Entering half time behind by twenty one to nothing.
The third quarter looked like a reversal of the previous two, as Carr and the Raiders offense moved the ball and scored twice. Meanwhile, the Raiders defense stiffened and denied Herbert and the Chargers any further glory.
The final quarter saw both defenses dominant. An interception and a missed field goal ending drives for the Raiders. Before the Chargers add another touchdown late to seal their win.
To go anywhere this season, the Raiders need to compete early in games and not stop seeding a lead to their opponents.