Black Hole, Done: Chargers Win In Oakland, 22-14

Monday Night Football Ratings Down, But Still Dominant

NFL Injury Report: Ty Warren Heads List Of The AFC West Casualties

The AFC West was impacted by injury on the opening weekend, as Jon Condo's head injury highlighted a key weakness for the Raiders. After the long snapper left the contest, the Raiders would struggle in the punting game with absolutely terrible results.

The Broncos suffered the biggest injury of the week in the AFC West. They have likely lost Ty Warren for the season, as the lineman suffered a torn triceps during the first half of the opener. Warren has also missed the previous two seasons with injury. Warren joins Jeremy Beal and Tyler Grisham on the injured reserve. Chris Kuper is also suffering from a forearm injury.

The Chiefs had a few key defenders miss their Week 1 contest. Brandon Flowers was out with a heel injury, Kendrick Lewis had a right shoulder problem, and Anthony Toribo was suffering from a right ankle problem. The status of those three is still unclear for the Week 2 contest in Buffalo.

The Raiders suffered a few injuries in their opener, and they went into the contest pretty banged up already. They had seven players on the injured reserve, and both Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore missed the game with injury. Long snapper Jon Condo left the game with a head injury in the first half, and corner Ron Bartell left the game with a shoulder injury. Neither returned to the game, and both are set to be further evaluated today. Aaron Curry isn't likely to be activated from the PUP for several more weeks either.

The Chargers came out of last night's contest in better shape than the Raiders. Antonio Gates suffered a rib injury, but he was healthy enough to return to the game in the second half. We'll likely have updates on Jared Gaither, Ryan Mathews, and Antonio Garay later in the week. All three missed the opener due to injury.

For more on the Chargers, check out Bolts From The Blue. For the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. Please visit Arrowhead Pride for updates on the Chiefs. And for the Raiders, you can visit Silver And Black Pride.

Chargers Vs. Raiders, Week 1: Long Snapping Woes Lead To Raiders' Season-Opening Loss

Monday's 22-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers didn't go as planned for the Oakland Raiders, who failed to score a touchdown until the final minute of the game and committed multiple blunders on special teams -- mainly, from its long snapping position.

The special teams troubles were nothing new for the Raiders, who had experienced terrible play from the unit since the preseason, says the SB Nation blog Sliver and Black Pride.

In the preseason, the special teams were horrendous. But even through it all, it was thought that once the regular season began and the roster was trimmed to its final 53, those issues would leave with them. Well, those issues are still here and worse than ever.

The biggest issue was dealing with the loss of Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo, who suffered a head injury during a Charger's punt return early in the second quarter. From there, the punting unit that features Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler was a nightmare for the silver and black.

Taking Condo's place at long snapper was reserve middle linebacker, Travis Goethel. That turned out to be a choice that would doom the Raiders and turn this game into an absolute debacle.

Goethel had three snaps and only of them was successful punt.. barely. The first punt was low causing Lechler to not be able to field it cleanly and he didn't get the punt away. The second was a flat out block thanks to a snap that was slow and wobbly. The third, he barely got away without it being blocked again. And the final punt was skipped across the ground resulting in Lechler not getting ahold of it and him falling on the ball.

According to Goethel, he earned the backup job because he was the only one in training camp that stood out.

"Trust me, I wish it never happened," said Goethel after the game.

For all things Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride. For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue.

Chargers Vs. Raiders, Week 1: Pagano Impresses With His Defensive Schemes

In the season opener for both teams, the San Diego Chargers went into the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum on Monday night and came out with an impressive victory over the Oakland Raiders, 22-14. John Pagano, in his debut as an NFL coordinator, called an impressive game, which helped the Chargers secure the win.

As such, Bolts From The Blue blogger, John Gennaro, feels that Pagano is most deserving of Monday night's game ball:

However, I think I'm handing the game ball to Defensive Coordinator John Pagano. In his first game, he was able to corral Darren McFadden on the ground and was able to put pressure on Carson Palmer when it mattered. Without Pagano calling some Prevent Defense toward the end of the fourth quarter, the Raiders wouldn've never scored a touchdown. That's an impressive achievement for John's first game calling plays.

Of course, the Chargers still have a lot to work on, like the running game -- San Diego rushed for 32 total yards on 20 carries -- so they're not as dependent on the arm of Phillip Rivers to move the ball, but a season opening victory over a division rival is still sweet, nonetheless.

For more on the San Diego Chargers, head over to Bolts From The Blue. For the Raiders side of the story, check out Silver and Black Pride. For more on the league in general, please check out SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Philip Rivers, Chargers Capitalize On Raiders Errors, Win 22-14

The San Diego Chargers took advantage of sloppy play by Oakland's special teams to score crucial field goals that made the difference.

Oakland long-snapper Travis Goethel botched three snaps to Shane Lechler that prevented Oakland from pinning San Diego deep, and the Chargers capitalized on those long-snapping errors with three crucial second-half field goals.

Nate Kaeding kicked five field goals of 23, 28, 19, 41 and 45 yards, and Philip Rivers threw the only Chargers touchdown of the game, to Malcom Floyd, to put San Diego up for good in the second quarter. Despite the nonexistence of San Diego's rush attack (just under two yards per rushing carry), Rivers had an efficient game, completing more than 70 percent of his passes for 7 yards per pass attempt.

The Raiders managed a late touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, capped off by a Carson Palmer connection with Rod Streater. But the onside kick ended up back in the hands of the Chargers and San Diego ground out the clock from there.

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Raiders Stay The Raiders

Every year we think we'll see a whole new Oakland Raiders team that's mistake-free. This might be the year they shed the moniker of being a team that couldn't get out of its own way in trying to win football games. This will be a new age.

Welp.

Something like this happened three times. Poor Oakland.

Tweet of the Night

Floyd Mayweather wants to be this generation's Greek.

I bet $100,000 on the Chargers.. if you want my daily picks sign up to Memomemore.com & I will keep you posted twitter.com/FloydMayweathe…

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) September 11, 2012

How San Diego played summed up in one GIF

How Oakland played summed up in one GIF

For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue. For all things Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride.

What On Earth Is Norv Turner Saying?

Chargers Vs. Raiders Score Update: San Diego Up 10-6 At Halftime

The San Diego Chargers currently hold a tight 10-6 lead over the Oakland Raiders at halftime. Offense has been at a premium for the two teams, though a couple of late drives have boosted the numbers a bit. Oakland has 204 yards at the half, while San Diego has 148.

The most exciting play of the half might have been the first possession, as Rod Streater fumbled the ball for what turned out to be the only turnover of the half. Two field goals came in the first quarter as the two teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively. The run specifically has been shut down for San Diego, as their running game has managed only 15 yards on the ground so far.

There wasn't much to write home about from the Raiders on the ground either, though Darren McFadden did throw a highlight reel-worthy stiff-arm onto Marcus Gilchrist.

Things finally started to heat up at the very end of the second quarter, after the two teams had spent a long time knotted up at 3-3. With 3:10 left on the clock, Philip Rivers finally delivered the first touchdown of the game after leading the Chargers on a long drive down the field and tossing a 6-ard ball to Michael Floyd.

Carson Palmer attempted to run a quick three-minute drill for the Raiders, but it was to no avail as they had to settle for a short field goal from Sebastian Janikowski. That would be the final scoring play of the first half.

For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue. For all things Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride.

A Very Raider Fumble

Carson Palmer pitches it to Marcel Reece who pitches it to Taiwan Jones. What could go wrong?

A lot, apparently.

So who's that on -- Reece or Jones? That looked like a high pitch from Reece.

For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue. For all thingsOakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride.

Robert Meachem Looks A Little Like Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson's replacement in San Diego isn't looking too bad.

Robert Meachem, brought in to replace Vincent Jackson, who signed with the Bucs in the offseason after seven years in San Diego, hauled in a 46-yard deep ball from Philip Rivers in a play a bit reminiscent of Jackson.

The full extension from Meachem is beautiful. That's a tough pass to defend, if it can be defended at all.

And Philip Rivers has yet to throw a pick, so this is progress for San Diego.

For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue. For all things Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride.

The Raiders Fumble, Because They're The Raiders

Chargers Vs. Raiders Inactives: Jacoby Ford And Denarius Moore Out For The Raiders

The Oakland Raiders will be a bit thin at wide receiver, as Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore were declared inactive for Monday's matchup against the San Diego Chargers.

Ford wasn't expected to suit up, but Moore was going to be a game-time decision after practices last week.

They are joined on the Raiders' sideline by quarterback Terrelle Pryor, defensive end Jack Crawford, offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom, offensive tackle Joseph Barksdale and offensive lineman Lucas Nix.

The Chargers will be without running back Ryan Mathews as he recovers from his broken clavicle. Mathews wasn't expected to play and is aiming for a Week 2 debut to his 2012 season.

He will be joined by tackle Jared Gaither, defensive tackle Antonio Garay, tight end Ladarius Green, linebacker Jonas Mouton and safety Brandon Taylor.

For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue. For all things Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride.

Denarius Moore Inactive, Fantasy Value Zero

Denarius Moore is inactive Monday night against the Chargers. We break down the fantasy implications.

Ryan Mathews Inactive For Monday Night Football, Removing Fantasy Value

San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is inactive for the team's Monday night game against the Oakland Raiders. We break down the fantasy implications.

Chargers Vs. Raiders: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

The Oakland Raiders play host to the San Diego Chargers on Monday night, in the second of two Monday night games to kick off the 2012 season.

NFL Picks And Predictions: Chargers Vs. Raiders

Expert picks for the Chargers and Raiders Week 1 matchup.

NFL Odds Week 1: Chargers Vs. Raiders

The San Diego Chargers are listed as 1-point favorites for their Week 1 AFC West showdown with the Oakland Raiders on Monday night, according to OddsShark.