The San Diego Chargers have secured a narrow 13-6 win over the Oakland Raiders, denying their AFC West rivals their first win of the 2014 NFL season.
© Getty Images
An early mistake from Derek Carr allowed the Chargers to score a touchdown inside the opening minute, as Philip Rivers launched the ball deep for Michael Floyd.
Oakland were off the mark on their next drive though as Sebastian Janikowski split the uprights with a field goal from 42 yards out.
Chargers kicker Nick Novak continued his streak with a chip shot from 23 yards, but had his first miss of the season just before half time when he sliced a 48-yard effort just wide.
Novak was back on form early in the third quarter though, extending the Chargers' lead after Keenan Allen had moved them into field goal range.
There was a worrying moment for the home side when Rivers appeared to have injured his knee, but the quarterback was able to return to the game after just a few minutes in the locker room.
Latavius Murray picked up a couple of big gains for the visitors as they searched for their first touchdown of the game, but Marquette King was forced to punt after the drive stalled.
Murray continued to see more carries and got the Raiders into field goal range inside the final five minutes, allowing Janikowski to make it a one-possession game late on.
The Raiders tried to force a turnover late on to give themselves a chance of salvaging the game, but Antonio Gates held off an attempted interception from Charles Woodson.
The Chargers had to punt the ball back to Oakland with just over a minute to play, but Carr was sacked, allowing the home side to run down the clock.
The defeat officially eliminates the Raiders from playoff contention, while the Chargers sit 6-4, just a win behind the division leaders.
Sian Cowper
