NFL fans react to crazy overtime thriller involving Raiders and Chargers
Few regular-season games in the NFL have had the week-long buildup and hype of the Week 18 Chargers-Raiders season finale. Fewer have beaten expectations.
But that was the sentiment for seemingly most of the NFL, who tuned into what many say was the first true playoff game of the 2021 NFL playoffs. Here are some reactions from fans losing their minds during and after the contest.
NFL fans could not believe what they were seeing in Raiders-Chargers
@chargers Why the time out. We were gonna tie.
This fan was in shock as his season ended at its highest point.
@chargers https://t.co/zRn40JXPzN
This fan has had enough of Brandon Staley's analytics.
@chargers This man has carried this entire team.
This fan is echoing Packers and Seahawks fans.
@chargers https://t.co/5I5kewUQCm
Rey was likely doing the same thing everyone else did several times in the fourth quarter.
@chargers change your name to Los Angeles Herberts
CARROT is giving Justin Herbert all the credit for making it as close as he did.
@chargers WHY MUST YALL DO THIS EVERY DAMN GAME
Randy has had it with the constantly weird games surrounding his team.
@chargers Just tie it
This fan is thinking logically.
@chargers IN HERBERT WE TRUST
This fan is all-in on Justin Herbert and likely has a long road ahead, watching his quarterback.
@chargers He played a great game but what’s wrong with his coach?
Andy is joining the growing group of people turning on Brandon Staley's coaching style using analytics.
@Raiders Let's go!! https://t.co/XmQj3QI9mQ
This fan is thrilled to be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
@Raiders @ngakoueDPOY As a Saints fan y’all deserve it. See y’all next year
Even fans from the other side of the NFL conference had to get their two cents in.
@Raiders That game was insane. Great game raiders! You guys have been through it all this year and y’all fought for it. See y’all in 2022.
Taylor is counting down the days until the next time Herbert takes the screen.
@Raiders They picked a good day to play THE BEST GAME OF THE SEASON !!! #RaiderNation !!! https://t.co/noTGzs6D36
Kevin L. Lang is over the moon about his team and is likely hoping his team can find a new ceiling next week.
Derek Carr heading to playoffs for first time
With the win, the Las Vegas Raiders will be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Derek Carr will be playing in his first playoff game in the NFL since being drafted in 2013. Carr went 12-4 in 2016 and missed the game due to a season-ending injury. However, now fully healthy, the Raiders will get their first taste of Carr in the playoffs.
The Raiders made it with an interim head coach in the league's first such accomplishment since 1961, according to Ari Meirov. Football historians know that 1961 preceeds the Super Bowl era. Meaning, this was the first time, in the Super Bowl era, that a team made the playoffs with an interim head coach.
How far will the Raiders go in the playoffs? The Raiders have a quarterback who has never played in a playoff game and an interim head coach who has never acted as a head coach in a playoff game. However, they've beaten the odds all season long, so it is tough to completely write them off.