Raiders vs Chargers final score: Raiders offense breaks out, ends in late heartbreak 31-28

For the first time this season, the Raiders offense showed up for them. They were the worst ranked offense in the NFL in both points and yards and were facing one of the better defenses in the league. The offense showed up but the defense let the Raiders down once again as they would lose a close one late.

Just as the Raiders did in London, they came out firing, scoring on their opening drive. This time it all came on a 77-yard bomb from Derek Carr to Andre Holmes to go up 7-0.

That lead didn't last long as the Chargers drove right down the field to tie it up. The Raiders were marred by penalties, including a holding penalty by Tarell Brown on third down that set up the Chargers with first down in scoring position. A few plays later, Philip Rivers connected with Eddie Royal on a 29-yard touchdown.

Late in the first quarter the Chargers were driving and then finished it off to begin the second quarter with a wide open touchdown pass from Rivers to Malcom Floyd to go up 14-7.

The dreaded second quarter had begun, in which the Raiders hadn't scored all season long. That streak ended when the Raiders drove to tie the game on a 6-yard pass from Carr to James Jones. The drive was highlighted by a 30-yard pass to Andre Holmes that put Holmes over 100 yards on the day with 2 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.

The Chargers were driving to start the third quarter until penalties set in. They were lined up in 3rd and 31 and attempted a 54-yard field goal. The field goal was good but there was a holding penalty, taking the Chargers out of field goal range in 4th and 35. They lined up for a punt and faked it, attempting a long pass from Eric Weddle that drifted out of bounds intended for Seyi Ajirotutu. The Raiders would get the ball at their own 46-yard line to start their next drive.

This time the Raiders don't squander their great field position. On third and three, Carr hits Brice Butler on a short pass and he races 47 yards for the touchdown. And in a stunning development, the Raiders were leading the Chargers 21-14 in the third quarter.

As has happened all game, the Chargers answered with a score of their own. That drive was highlighted by a 44-yard bomb to Malcom Floyd and the Chargers scored on a pass to Antonio Gates a few plays later. They would tie it up again in a back and forth affair. Much better than the one-sided affairs the Raiders had in the first four games this season.

After a nice punt by Marquette King put the Chargers drive start at the 10-yard line. The Raiders held tough to force a three and out and a punt which put the Raiders in great field position at the 50-yard line. And again, the Raiders capitalized. This time they did it on the ground with big chunks of yardage from both Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. Derek Carr finished it off when he rolled right and found Andre Holmes for their second touchdown connection of the day from six yards out. It gave the Raiders a 28-21 lead.

The back and forth continued with the Chargers drive on the Raiders defense once again with ease. But this time the Raiders held them out of the endzone. The Chargers settle for a field goal to pull within four at 28-24.

On the ensuing possession the Raiders were unable to move the ball. Carr was called for intentional grounding which had them punting from their own 14-yard line. On the punt return, Keenan Allen returned it 29 yards to the Raiders' 39-yard line. The field position tables had turned in the Chargers favor and they were knocking on the door again.

With the Raiders' defense wearing down, they stayed on the ground with Branden Oliver and scored on six plays, four of which were Oliver runs, including the one-yard touchdown run.

The Raiders would get the ball with 1:56 remaining. After driving into Chargers territory, Derek Carr would throw one up for Brice Butler who was covered well by Jason Verrett and Carr was picked off to end the threat and the game with a 31-28 Chargers victory in Oakland.

It was a lot more of a fight than anyone was expecting from the Raiders, including Derek Carr's 4 touchdown passes matching his entire season total coming in. But just like in week three against the Patriots, the only victory was a moral one as the Raiders remained winless, falling to 0-5 on the season.

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