INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium on October 4, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)The Chargers-Raiders contest on Sunday Night had everything, including a viral sideline quote from Justin Herbert.
While the Raiders had the ball in overtime, Herbert was caught saying, “I’ve never wanted a tie so bad.”
Justin Herbert: "I've never wanted a tie so bad" pic.twitter.com/iRkn8QaHsx
— CJ Fogler AKA Internet #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) January 10, 2022
As he was saying this, head coach Brandon Staley called timeout to get his defense set up for a crucial third-down play but it didn’t work.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs gained 10 yards on third-and-four which put them in field goal range with two seconds left. Daniel Carlson then came into the game knowing that either way, his team would be in the playoffs.
The only question that was being asked was who gets that final spot, the Chargers or the Steelers? Carlson’s kick sent the Steelers in after he made the 47-yarder and they’ll go play the Chiefs next Sunday night.
The Raiders, meanwhile, will go to Cincinnati to play Joe Burrow & the Bengals.
Had Carlson missed that kick, the game would’ve ended in a tie, and both the Chargers and Raiders would’ve gone to the playoffs.
It was always the unlikeliest scenario, but it came that close to happening after the Chargers had a wild 15-point comeback. They converted six fourth downs in the final five minutes and overtime, one of which was a fourth-and-21.
In the end, the Raiders clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2016 and sent the Chargers packing.
