NFL Recap (San Diego-Oakland)
Posted: Sun October 11, 1998 at 8:59 p.m. EDT
OAKLAND 7, SAN DIEGO 6
OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Raiders, held
without a first down in the second half, stole a 7-6 victory from the San Diego Chargers when
39-year-old Wade Wilson
hit James Jett for a
68-yard touchdown with 88 seconds remaining.
Oakland was struggling through one of the worst offensive performances
in team history before Wilson and Jett hooked up for the stunning go-ahead
score. The Raiders (4-2) had just four total yards after halftime and were
1-for-18 on third-down conversions when they lined up for a 3rd-and-10 on
their own 32.
Wilson, who replaced ineffective second-stringer Donald Hollas early in the
fourth quarter, lofted a pass deep down the middle of the field. Jett beat
cornerback Terrance
Shaw and easily outsprinted the secondary to the end zone. Greg Davis'
extra point put Oakland ahead.
"We used the crossing route," Wilson explained. "The play was
supposed to go to Rickey (tight end Rickey Dudley) with James
running a post over the top. If the safety drops down, I go to James.
That's what happened."
Wilson's only completion in six attempts helped the Raiders avoid
their first home shutout in 17 years and extended their winning streak to
three games.
"What a great, great win for our team," said first-year Oakland coach
Jon Gruden. "We really did save the best for last. We had diagrammed a
play and we were really hoping to get it to Rickey Dudley. Our defense did
a huge job. It was a big morale boost for them.
"Wade earned his pension today," he continued. "I was thinking of
bringing in Wade sooner but we worried about hurting Hollas. We have two
weeks to think about who starts for us next. I know for sure that Jeff
(George) isn't going to play in two weeks."
San Diego (2-4) took over at its 47-yard line after a 25-yard kickoff
return by Tremayne Stephens and a 15-yard face mask penalty on Kenny Shedd. Craig Whelihan, who again
replaced ineffective rookie Ryan Leaf, threw an
11-yard pass to Mikhael
Ricks and a three-yarder to Webster Slaughter.
Workhorse Natrone
Means ran for one yard but on 4th-and-6th fell one yard short after a
spectacular individual effort on a short toss from Whelihan. Means gained
101 yards on a career-high 37 carries, adding 66 yards on six receptions.
He was the lone weapon in a game that featured a combined 354 yards of
total offense.
"I went out there and did my job. That's supposed to be my job, to
grind out yards," Means said. "But we couldn't get it done. When Craig
came in we got a lift, but we're going to have to find a way to get it
done."
The Chargers have lost four straight since opening with two wins.
Oakland's best weapon was Leo Araguz, who set an NFL
record with 16 punts. The previous mark of 15 was established by
Philadelphia's John Teltschik on December 6th, 1987. The teams combined
for 27 punts, four shy of the league record.
"It was just an awful game for the offenses," Jett said. "We didn't
play well, they didn't play well. We were lucky to get the win."
San Diego broke on top early in the second quarter when John Carney's 39-yard field
goal capped a four-play drive that fittingly lost one yard. It was set up
by Latario Rachal, who returned Araguz's fourth punt 56 yards to the
Raiders' 20.
The Chargers held Oakland to five first downs in the first half and
took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
The Raiders went three-and-out on their first nine drives of the
second half and San Diego played it conservatively to build a 6-0 cushion.
After Whelihan replaced Leaf, the Chargers kept the ball on the ground
exclusively during a 13-play, 57-yard drive that consumed nearly 8 1/2
minutes and ended with Carney's 48-yard field goal.
Means carried eight times on the possession for 47 yards.
Leaf, the second overall pick in the 1998 draft, continued to
struggle. He completed just 7-of-18 passes for 78 yards with three sacks
and three interceptions. Whelihan was not much better, going 3-for-6 for
19 yards and an interception.
"It's just a huge disappoinment," Whelihan said. "Our defense gave
everything they had and we couldn't deliver. But you have to credit their
defense."
Hollas, playing for the injured George, was 12-for-35 for 101 yards
with an interception and four sacks. Oakland's Napoleon Kaufman,
questionable with hamstring and ankle injuries, was held to 17 yards on 12
attempts.
The Raiders had only 18 rushing yards, accounting for their time of
possession -- only 23 1/2 minutes.
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
|
