Chargers / Raiders Tie

[LPMAN]

So either way, or maybe both ways, it's reasonable for Staley to call time out. Am I right? He couldn't be anywhere near certain that the Raiders were playing for a tie. He has to stop the Raiders from advancing and still save time if he can. He can't just hope the Raiders are not interested in a FG at all.

I don't think it was about saving time. I think he wanted to get the right defensive call in. He probably told his defense, LOOK they are not going to pass, if we stop them from running 4 yards for a first down they won't be in FG range time will expire & we make the playoffs. If we don't stop them they might attempt a FG which boots us from the playoffs......Unfortunately for them & luckily for us Josh Jacobs with no running room cut back & made the big 10 yard run or Steelers wouldn't be in the playoffs.,

[snarky]

I'll play devil's advocate. First of all, Staley waited until the clock ticked down to 4 seconds before calling time out. It isn't like he gave them more than 3 extra seconds. 3rd and 4 on the 39. If the 3rd down play does not pick up the first down then Vegas likely lets the clock run out. The Chargers wanted to make sure that they were prepared so called time out. The problem for the Chargers was that after the time out, not only did they gain the first down, but gained 10 yards into reasonable FG range (47 yards). At that point it is not a huge risk like if they held them to 2-3 yards, and they took out a hated division opponent.

I believe that had the time out not been called, and the Raiders still gained 10 yards that they would still have kicked the FG.

Didn't we used to be able to like posts on this forum?

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think this WAS his mistaken thinking.

There was a "wink and a nod" agreement from across the field and the damn Raiders broke this pact.

[LPMAN]

There was a "wink and a nod" agreement from across the field and the damn Raiders broke this pact.

Raiders & Chargers hate each other like Steelers & Ravens hate each other....can't trust no wink nod....JUST WIN BABY!

[Captain Lemming]

Why do you say that? The raiders still would have had to run their third down play with about 35 seconds to go. And they *did* call a timeout to kick the FG instead of just letting the game end. The chargers time out had very little effect on the clock situation.

Rewatched it.
I see your point, makes sense.

[crushedspirit]

The TO call simply surprised everyone, including the Raiders. I've watched the replay on my app, and it's hilarious as all the heads on the field turn towards Haley. I'll link the pic tomorrow after some sleep.

We can all guess if they would have picked up 10 or not before the TO was called, but nobody will ever know what would have happened. They would have snapped the ball at about 36 seconds, since Renfro was still in motion and not set, and who knows how many yards are gained, and how much time is left after, and what decision would have been made. Maybe even a fumble or botched snap. This is the NFL, and anything can happen on any play. What we do know is that Staley called a TO that he only knows the reason why, and the rest is history. Watch the replay, his D looks set and ready. This is a coach who has made almost weekly mind-numbing decisions, and this was no different, no matter what spin he puts on it. He will always try to justify his thinking. Others can agree with the call all they want.

[Starlifter]

Glad I went to bed. That was SICK.

I think the raiders had nothing to lose that last drive and wanted to eliminate the chargers. I also think they would prefer to avoid KC.

But whatever. They won. Steelers are in. I can’t imagine the screaming in Cleveland and Baltimore right now. It must be glorious.

[NorthCoast]

This guy saved the Steelers season. Somebody send him a box of peirogies and a six pack of IC;

[NorthCoast]

Read his lips... that's what 100,000 Steelers fans were saying last night in the 4th qtr;

[WindyCitySteel]

The game played out exactly as I stated it might - both played hard, but they ended up in OT and the Raiders were afraid to make a mistake late. If Jacobs gets stuffed there, both teams let the clock run out.

That tie scenario only was in play, however, since the Steelers won and Colts lost, right? People were complaining on Twitter that the league engineered this scenario by moving the game to prime time, but they almost assuredly thought they'd be playing to win to get in.

The Colts/Jags part of the parlay is the one nobody expected to hit.

[feltdizz]

One of the craziest regular season endings
ever..

We needed a Jags win
an OT win in Baltimore
and a last second OT FG on the last play of the regular season to make the freaking playoffs..

and an OT game vs Detroit that ended in a tie is the difference between making the playoffs and sitting on the couch

[flippy]

One of the craziest regular season endings
ever..

We needed a Jags win
an OT win in Baltimore
and a last second OT FG on the last play of the regular season to make the freaking playoffs..

and an OT game vs Detroit that ended in a tie is the difference between making the playoffs and sitting on the couch

Last time it was this crazy at the end of the season, we ended up winning XL.

I remember then everyone thought we collapsed and gave up. Only to change everything up and play without any fears the second the playoffs started.

Just like when we were a 6 seed with nothing to lose, now we’re the 7 seed and no one expects anything from us.

Gotta love that position. If we can take advantage.

[NorthCoast]

One of the craziest regular season endings
ever..

We needed a Jags win
an OT win in Baltimore
and a last second OT FG on the last play of the regular season to make the freaking playoffs..

and an OT game vs Detroit that ended in a tie is the difference between making the playoffs and sitting on the couch

And there are some highly rated QBs sitting at home next week Herbert, Lawrence, LJ, Wilson.

Only negative is our draft position just dropped a few notches. Fortunately we have a team that plays to win, not for draft position.

[Eich]

That was nutz. I was shaking my head all day long yesterday!

If we somehow made it to the show, it would be the most crazy season in history. The chances seem so infinately slim but who would have thought we'd make the playoffs in such a last-minute OT scenario yesterday?

One game at a time. Is there any fathomable way that we could eliminate KC?!!?? Watt would have to have the most monster game of his life.

[Eich]

Before the Bolts-Raiders game, I was telling everyone that it would be like getting struck by lightening for that game to end in a tie. And then it was so unimaginably close to ending in a tie. Midway into OT, I was convinced it would end in a tie. And then it didn't.

Just a crazy, crazy weekend.