Returning to the starting lineup after missing last week’s game due to lingering concussion issues, Terrelle Pryor was terrific in leading the Oakland Raiders to a 27-17 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.
Pryor completed 18 of 23 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. For the second straight game, he posted a passer rating over 100 with a 135.7 rating against the Chargers.
The Raiders took advantage of five San Diego turnovers as well, including three interceptions of Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers to hold onto the victory.
Usama Young intercepted Rivers on the third scrimmage play of the game and the Raiders quickly capitalized to take the lead. Pryor hit Rod Streater for a 44-yard touchdown on Oakland’s first play of the game to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead. After a San Diego punt, Pryor led the Raiders on a 13-play, 88-yard drive that culminated with a 2-yard touchdown from Pryor to Denarius Moore to jump out 14-0.
After the Chargers finally got on the board with a 35-yard Nick Novak field goal, Charles Woodson returned a fumble from Danny Woodhead for a 25-yard touchdown to extend the Raiders lead again to 24-3.
The Chargers got their first touchdown of the night on the first play of the fourth quarter as Rivers delivered a shovel pass to running back Danny Woodhead for a 5-yard touchdown as San Diego pulled within 24-10.
A three-and-out from the Raiders offense give the ball back to Rivers and they took advantage again. A 21-yard punt return from Eddie Royal gave the Chargers a short field and Rivers found the endzone just five plays later. Rivers connected with Keenan Allen for a 7-yard touchdown to bring the Chargers within a score at 24-17.
Oakland answered with a scoring drive to make it a two-score game with just over four minutes left to play. Sebastian Janikowski converted a 50-yard field goal try to extend their lead back to 10 points at 27-17.
Rivers drove the Chargers into the redzone again before Raiders first-round pick D.J. Hayden intercepted Rivers in the endzone to preserve their cushion. Rivers was again intercepted by Charles Woodson on the final drive of the game to seal away the victory for the Chargers.
Rivers completed 36 of 49 passes for 411 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
The game ended at 11:38 p.m. local time (2:38 a.m. ET).