Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Wild OT Raiders' Win Sets the Stage for Playoffs
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
January 10, 2022

Share

 

Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders played to win, knocking the Los Angeles Chargers out of the playoffs and sending the Pittsburgh Steelers to the tournament.

The NFL’s playoff field was set when the Raiders locked up the final wild-card spot by beating the Chargers in overtime in a wild, winner-take-all game Sunday night.

The Raiders could’ve punched their ticket to the postseason — and given the Chargers a spot — by taking a knee on the final play. Instead, Daniel Carlson kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired in overtime for a 35-32 win.

“We’ve had ups and downs all season but we have guys who love football,” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “We have dudes with heart.”

Fourth Straight Win for Raiders

Each team made overtime field goals before Carlson’s game-winner. Carlson, three times the AFC special teams player of the week this season, kicked five field goals in the game.

The Raiders won a fourth straight game and completed an incredible late-season run after losing five of their previous six.

“We just found a way to have a chance to win at the end,” Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia said. “We’ve been in this situation before … just can’t say enough about how this team prepares and going into the game and playing like that. They believe in each other when they go out there. They don’t blink.”

Derek Carr completed 20 of 36 pass attempts for 186 yards, including two touchdowns. Hunter Renfrow hauled in two touchdown passes, while a visibly injured Josh Jacobs ran for a career-high 132 yards on 26 carries, including one score.

Daniel Carlson kicked five field goals, including the game-winner, for the Raiders on Sunday night. (AP File)

OT Wins for Steelers, 49ers, Too

The Steelers extended Ben Roethlisberger’s career with an overtime win of their own and had to wait to make sure the Chargers-Raiders didn’t finish in a tie.

The 49ers also needed overtime to advance to the playoffs.

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t let up against Carolina, and the reigning Super Bowl champions earned the No. 2 seed when Jimmy Garoppolo rallied San Francisco past the Rams.

An NFC championship rematch against Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay is in line if the Buccaneers and Packers keep winning.

First, Brady and the Bucs face rested Philadelphia, while Green Bay has a week off.

“This is our toughest opponent all year,” said Brady, who lost to Nick Foles and the Eagles in the Super Bowl four years ago with New England. “We’re playing a team that’s very talented and made it to this point for a reason. We have to do everything we have to do to get the win. This is a football team that has been playing really well, good on offense, they have a very good defense, good front, very healthy. It’s going to be a very tough game.”

Tennessee fought off Houston to secure the AFC’s bye, pushing the two-time defending conference champion Chiefs down to the second seed.

Lowly Jacksonville upset Indianapolis, paving the way for Roethlisberger and the Steelers to get in with a victory at Baltimore.

Here are the matchups and how things may go next weekend:

Saturday

Las Vegas (10-7) at Cincinnati (10-7)

Joe Burrow led the Bengals from worst to first in the AFC North and got a chance to skip the last game while Carr and the Raiders survived a late comeback to win their fourth straight to advance.

Burrow, dynamic rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon present a tough challenge for the Raiders, who were gassed by the end of their 70-minute marathon against Los Angeles. Cincy hasn’t won a playoff game in 31 years. The Raiders last won a playoff game in 2003. Both teams are due. Burrow and the Bengals get the edge because they’re rested.

New England (10-7) at Buffalo (11-6)

The AFC East rivals split two games last month, each winning on the road. The Patriots beat the Bills 14-10 while relying solely on their running game when rookie QB Mac Jones threw just three passes. Buffalo responded with a 33-21 win at New England three weeks later.

Josh Allen led the Bills to the AFC title game last year and they’re back in the hunt for the third straight year with something to prove. Bill Belichick is seeking his first playoff win without Brady in New England. He should still be looking for it after this one.

Sunday

Philadelphia (9-8) at Tampa Bay (13-4)

The Eagles have come a long way since a 28-22 home loss to the Buccaneers in Week 6. Rookie coach Nick Sirianni and second-year QB Jalen Hurts led Philly back from a 2-5 start to an unlikely playoff berth. They did it by relying on the run. But Tampa has one of the league’s stingiest run defenses, led by nose tackle Vita Vea.

The banged-up Bucs lost key players down the stretch to injuries and Antonio Brown to drama. They still have Brady and he’s enough. He led the NFL in yards passing, TDs, completions and attempts at age 44.

San Francisco (10-7) at Dallas (12-5)

Facing elimination, Garoppolo and the 49ers overcame a 17-0 deficit to beat the NFC West champion Rams 27-24 in overtime. San Francisco has a strong rushing attack, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, but Dallas made big strides on defense under first-year coordinator Dan Quinn and sensational seasons from rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs.

It’ll be difficult for the Niners to keep up with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and the Cowboys’ star-studded offense.

Pittsburgh (9-7-1) at Kansas City (12-5)

Roethlisberger got a chance to play one more game, but his last one should come in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs went on a roll after a rough start. Mahomes has Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and too many options for the Steelers to contain.

Monday

Arizona (11-6) at Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

The first Monday night playoff game features another matchup of division rivals. Like the Patriots and Bills, the Cardinals and Rams split in the regular season with each team winning on the road.

Arizona missed an opportunity to win the division by losing at home to Seattle. The Cardinals went 4-6 after a 7-0 start. It’s a new season now. Kyler Murray led Arizona to an impressive road win at Dallas in Week 17, and the Cardinals need James Conner to play after leaving with injured ribs against the Seahawks.

Matthew Stafford joined the Rams looking for playoff success. He seeks his first career postseason win with a superstar cast surrounding him led by Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. on offense and Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on defense. Even though Los Angeles has played better on the road, Stafford should finally get that win and keep alive the possibility the Rams can become the second team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Israel Orders Al Jazeera to Close Its Local Operation, Seizes Some Equipment

DON'T MISS

Pro-Palestinian Protesters at USC Comply With Order to Leave

DON'T MISS

Israel Vows Military Operation ‘in the Very Near Future’ After Latest Hamas Attack

DON'T MISS

After Losing Population in Recent Years, California Grows Again. Is That a Good Thing?

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Announces 2024 Graduate Deans’ Medalists

DON'T MISS

Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump

DON'T MISS

New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority

DON'T MISS

As Border Debate Shifts Right, Sen. Alex Padilla Emerges as Persistent Counterforce for Immigrants

DON'T MISS

At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign

DON'T MISS

FUSD Trustees Name Misty Her as Interim Superintendent. National Search Yet to Start

UP NEXT

As Border Debate Shifts Right, Sen. Alex Padilla Emerges as Persistent Counterforce for Immigrants

UP NEXT

Anchovy Feast Draws the Most Sea Lions to SF’s Fisherman’s Wharf in 15 Years

UP NEXT

Captain Sentenced to 4 Years for Criminal Negligence in Fiery Deaths of 34 Aboard Scuba Boat

UP NEXT

The Lakers Fire Coach Darvin Ham After Just 2 Seasons in Charge

UP NEXT

Mountain West Boss Reveals There’s Talk of Football Playoffs for Teams Like Fresno State

UP NEXT

Dodgers Ace Walker Buehler Expected to Return From Tommy John Surgery on Monday

UP NEXT

Two Months to Count Election Ballots? California’s Long Tallies Turn Election Day Into Weeks, Months

UP NEXT

Bulldog Football Outlook: More Explosive Offense, a Potential Game-Wrecker on Defense

UP NEXT

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

UP NEXT

Mike Yaz Homers at Fenway In Giants Win After Visit From His Hall of Fame Grandpa

After Losing Population in Recent Years, California Grows Again. Is That a Good Thing?

11 hours ago

Fresno State Announces 2024 Graduate Deans’ Medalists

1 day ago

Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump

1 day ago

New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority

1 day ago

As Border Debate Shifts Right, Sen. Alex Padilla Emerges as Persistent Counterforce for Immigrants

1 day ago

At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign

1 day ago

FUSD Trustees Name Misty Her as Interim Superintendent. National Search Yet to Start

Local Education /

2 days ago

Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties

2 days ago

Assemblymember Soria Dodges Questions About Defamation Lawsuit

2 days ago

Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault

2 days ago

Israel Orders Al Jazeera to Close Its Local Operation, Seizes Some Equipment

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel ordered the local offices of Qatar’s Al Jazeera satellite news network to close Sunday, escalating a long-ru...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

Israel Orders Al Jazeera to Close Its Local Operation, Seizes Some Equipment

6 hours ago

Pro-Palestinian Protesters at USC Comply With Order to Leave

Photo of Benjamin Netanyahu
7 hours ago

Israel Vows Military Operation ‘in the Very Near Future’ After Latest Hamas Attack

11 hours ago

After Losing Population in Recent Years, California Grows Again. Is That a Good Thing?

1 day ago

Fresno State Announces 2024 Graduate Deans’ Medalists

1 day ago

Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump

1 day ago

New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority

1 day ago

As Border Debate Shifts Right, Sen. Alex Padilla Emerges as Persistent Counterforce for Immigrants

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend