Raiders vs. Chargers: A Historic Rivalry

The Battle of Los Angeles

The Raiders and Chargers have been bitter rivals since their days in the AFL. The two teams first met in 1960, and the Raiders have held a slight edge in the series, winning 63 games to the Chargers' 59. The rivalry reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, when both teams were among the best in the NFL.

The Raiders and Chargers played in the same division for many years, and their games were often heated affairs. The rivalry was so intense that it was dubbed the "Battle of Los Angeles." In 1995, the Raiders moved to Oakland, but the rivalry continued. The two teams now meet twice a year, and their games are always among the most anticipated on the NFL schedule.

Key Moments in the Rivalry

The Holy Roller

One of the most famous moments in the Raiders-Chargers rivalry came in 1978. The Raiders were trailing the Chargers 21-20 with just seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback Ken Stabler fumbled the snap, and the ball rolled towards the Chargers' end zone. Several Raiders players, including Stabler, attempted to recover the ball, but it eventually rolled into the end zone and was recovered by the Chargers for a touchdown.

The Ghost to the Post

Another famous moment in the rivalry came in 1982. The Raiders were trailing the Chargers 17-14 with just seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback Jim Plunkett threw a pass to wide receiver Cliff Branch, who caught the ball at the Chargers' 1-yard line. Branch then lateraled the ball to running back Marcus Allen, who ran it into the end zone for a touchdown. The Raiders won the game 21-17.

The Immaculate Deflection

In 2009, the Raiders and Chargers met in a playoff game. The Chargers were leading 28-24 with just seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback Philip Rivers threw a pass to wide receiver Malcom Floyd, who caught the ball in the end zone. However, the Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha deflected the ball away from Floyd, and the Raiders won the game 29-28.

The Rivalry Today

The Raiders and Chargers rivalry is still going strong today. The two teams are now in different divisions, but they still meet twice a year. The games are always competitive, and the fans are always passionate. The Raiders-Chargers rivalry is one of the most storied in the NFL, and it is sure to continue for many years to come.