Chargers QB Philip Rivers struggles in tough road loss
OAKLAND, Calif. — With his team needing a win, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers picked a bad time to have his worst game of the season.
Playing for the final time at the Oakland Coliseum, Rivers threw three interceptions, including one to Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph on his team’s final play of the game, leading to a 26-24 setback Thursday night.
With the loss, the Chargers dropped to 4-6 and are on the outside looking in as far as the playoff conversation. It’s the first time Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has lost to the Raiders during his tenure with the Bolts.
Like the way it ended, this one could not have started any worse for Rivers.
Rivers threw back-to-back interceptions on the first two drives, both to safety Erik Harris, who returned the second one 56 yards for a touchdown.
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According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Rivers now has 24 career pick-sixes, second most among active quarterbacks.
Rivers also had two other interceptions negated due to penalties and two other tipped passes that were almost picked off.
However, to Rivers’ credit, he played with backups at both tackle spots and continued to battle. Rivers finished 17 of 31 for 207 passing yards, with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. He was sacked five times, posting a 57.5 passer rating.
The Chargers are now 16-36 when Rivers throws at least two interceptions. The Bolts get some extra time to heal up before facing another AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico City for Monday Night Football.
Promising trend: The loss overshadowed running back Melvin Gordon‘s best game of the season. The Wisconsin product totaled 108 rushing yards in 20 carries, scoring his fifth touchdown of the year on a 3-yard plunge in the second quarter. It’s Gordon’s ninth career 100-yard rushing performance.
Promising trend II: The other Melvin, Melvin Ingram III, also filled up the stat sheet, finishing with six combined tackles — including two tackles for a loss, two sacks and a pass breakup. Ingram now has 4.5 sacks on the year and 46.5 sacks for his career, moving him into the top 5 in team history.