The Chargers closed 2017 with a 30-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders Sunday at StubHub Center to ensure a winning season (9-7) in their first season back in Los Angeles.
Philip Rivers went 28-of-37 for 387 yards and three touchdowns -- his sixth 300-yard game of the season. Melvin Gordon racked up 124 total yards and Keenan Allen caught nine passes for 133 yards and scored two touchdowns. All of this wasn't enough, though, to clinch the AFC's No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
The help the Chargers needed did not come. The Tennessee Titans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 15-10 on Sunday, officially eliminating Los Angeles from the postseason.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Los Angeles and Oakland combined for 30 points in the second. The Chargers struck first on a sequence that they certainly didn't draw up. On the ninth play of an eventual 99-yard drive, Gordon rushed for 14 yards, but fumbled. The ball was plucked out of the air by Allen, who took it 27 yards for a touchdown. Nick Rose's extra point put Los Angeles up 7-0.
On the Raiders' next possession, Derek Carr found Amari Cooper for an 87-yard touchdown that tied the score at 7-7 after a Giorgio Tavecchio extra point.
Los Angeles looked to go ahead on a 50-yard field-goal attempt by Rose, but the kick was blocked and returned to the Chargers' 30-yard line. Four plays later, Tavecchio broke the tie with a 40-yard field goal.
The fireworks continued when Rivers hooked up with Tyrell Williams for a 56-yard touchdown to regain the lead. Safety Tre Boston then picked off Carr on Oakland's next possession, which would later lead to a six-yard touchdown reception from Rivers to Allen.
The Chargers took a 20-10 advantage into halftime.
After a 25-yard Rose field goal to start the second half, Rivers' aerial assault continued when he hit Travis Benjamin for a 62-yard touchdown. The Chargers outgained the Raiders on offense 495 to 336.
In the first quarter, Rivers reached 50,000 passing yards for his career -- a feat that only eight other quarterbacks in NFL history have accomplished. Benjamin caught four passes for 96 yards. Joey Bosa had one sack and finished with 12.5 on the season.
The Chargers battle the Oakland Raiders for a New Year's Eve matchup.
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, right, and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper reach for an incomplete pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams hauls in a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams, right, celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston (33) intercepts a pass intended form Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston (33), center, celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, right, celebrates with wide receiver Keenan Allen, center, after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is hauled down by Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Denzel Perryman during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
