San Diego Chargers 20 @ Oakland Raiders 23 (OT)
IF THE NFL is looking for a late Christmas present in 2015, it could well be a redefinition of its much maligned catch rule which, once more, had a direct impact on the result of a game.
On a fourth and 25, the Chargers’ Josh Lambo kicked a 53-yard field goal — which would have seen his team take a 20-12 lead mid way through the final quarter — only to see it called back for defensive holding by the Raiders’ stand-out defensive player Khalil Mack.
This gave Philip Rivers a free first down and the San Diego quarterback appeared to take full advantage when he hit Ladarius Green for a 30-yard touchdown on the very next play.
However, as they do with every scoring play, the officials reviewed it and though Green had two hands on the ball when his knee hit the ground in the endzone, the ball subsequently came loose and was ruled not a catch.
A few plays later, Lambo missed a 48-yard field goal attempt and momentum had swung the Raiders way in what could prove to be their final ever home game in Oakland.
Late in the fourth, linebacker Malcolm Smith forced a David Johnson fumble that the Raiders returned to just outside the endzone before Michael Crabtree made the touchdown grab to give Oakland the lead.
In the final minute, Rivers led the Chargers on a game tying field goal drive to send the Christmas Eve contest into overtime.
However, Sebastian Janikowski’s 31-yard field goal would prove to be the difference as the Raiders move closer to a .500 season on 7-8 while the Chargers will be amongst the first picks in the NFL Draft, falling to 4-11.
Highlights here:
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