The Raiders were in the playoff hunt heading into the last game of the 2011 season versus the San Diego Chargers. And before this game was over, they learned that if they won this game, they would win the AFC West and head to the playoffs. They pulled to within five points of the visiting Chargers with under ten minutes remaining in the game and their season hung in the balance. It became the fateful moment and ensuing Chargers drive that ended their hopes. And this is exactly how it went down through the analytical eyes of TFDS contributor Asher Mathews.
The drive started with a squib kick by Sebastian Janikowski that bounced at the 5 yard line where it was picked up by San Diego's rookie return man, Richard Goodman, at the 1 yard line. Goodman bobbled the bouncing ball before scooping it up and inexplicably running backwards into the end zone. The Raiders' coverage team swarmed him and he went down in the end zone what appeared to be a safety to bring the Raiders to w...
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January 04, 2012
