Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers at Raiders: 3 things we learned

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Here are the three biggest things we learned from Week 5’s game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders.

When the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders get together, there are sure to be fireworks, and Sunday’s battle between the two AFC West teams did not disappoint. The Chargers, like they always do, played well early, before handing the game to the Raiders late. A fumble and botched field goal attempt did the Chargers in this week, as they lost their fourth game of the season.

The problem with San Diego is that they could actually be 5-0 this season. In all four of their losses, the Chargers have given the game away, and after Melvin Gordon fumbled in the fourth quarter, Bolts fans must have been thinking, “here we go again.” The fumble swung the momentum Oakland’s way, and Derek Carr and company did the rest.

Third-year quarterback Derek Carr threw for over 300 yards, tossing two touchdowns, including one to star wide receiver Amari Cooper. The wideout had yet to find the end zone this season, so it was a good sign for Raiders fans seeing #89 find paydirt. The development of Carr has been crucial to the Raiders rise in the AFC, and they now sit at 4-1 on the young season.

Here are three things we learned from Sunday’s action.

1. Derek Carr is an elite quarterback

For most quarterbacks who play well during their rookie season, there is usually a sophomore jinx. Defenses begin to scheme around them, and the player takes a step back. For Carr, that did not happen last season during his second year at the team’s starter, and he now is an elite quarterback in the league.

The biggest thing about Carr is his ability to lead men, which he shows each game. On Sunday, the Raiders fell behind early, and Carr made a bad mistake on an interception on a middle screen. However, he did not let it ruin his game plan, and he brought his team back time and time again.

Last week, he led the Raiders to a huge road victory against the Baltimore Ravens, their third road win of the young season. The ability to win games on the road is huge in the NFL, and for a third-year quarterback to be so cool under pressure is very telling of his development. The Raiders are in good hands with Carr, and they should lock him up for the next ten years as soon as possible.

2. San Diego is better than their record

To be a San Diego Chargers fan must be excruciating, as they continue to find ways to lose games. After fumbling away a victory at home against the New Orleans Saints last week, the Chargers found another way to lose on Sunday. After driving down to get themselves in field goal range to tie the game with a little over two minutes to go, the team botched the attempt, and eventually lost the game.

If games were only three quarters long, the Chargers would be a 4-1 team looking to win an AFC West championship. Instead, they are currently 1-4, and are in the cellar of a very strong division. Time is running out on the career of Philip Rivers, and it also could be running out for head coach Mike McCoy.

The bottom line is San Diego is full of talent, and they got a huge prospect into the lineup on Sunday. First rounder Joey Bosa made his NFL debut against the Raiders, and quickly picked up his first two sacks of his NFL career. This team is way better than their 1-4 record, but the NFL is a wins and losses league, so changes could be coming in San Diego.

3. Oakland is going to the playoffs

Whichever way you want to cut it, the Oakland Raiders are one of the best teams in the AFC. Not only has the franchise strengthened their defense, but they find a way to claw back and wins games late. Derek Carr is one of the better fourth quarter quarterbacks in the league, and the team is loaded on both sides of the ball.

The defense is a work in progress, and they did allow way too many points on Sunday. However, they have played only five games together as a unit, and it appears Sean Smith is settling into his role as the top corner in the secondary. Rookie Karl Joseph has begun to make plays from the safety position, and Khalil Mack is one of the best defensive players in the league,

On offense, there are way too many weapons to list, but the impressive thing about Sunday was the play of their running backs. Playing without starter Latavius Murray, the Raiders played a tandem of rookies Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, who combined for nearly 150 all-purpose yards. Even Jamize Olawale got in the mix, scoring from one-yard out. Oakland is legit, and will challenge Denver and Kansas City for the division in 2016.