Historic first quarter for Raiders defense against Chargers
OAKLAND, Calif.— The Raiders’ defense made history on Thursday night in likely the final prime-time game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Erik Harris had two interceptions in the first quarter and Oakland recorded two sacks, marking the first time in 228 career games, including the postseason, that Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers had multiple interceptions and was sacked multiple times in the opening quarter, according to NFL Research.
“It was great team football,” said Harris, who returned of onf the picks for a score. “It started with the guys up front. They’ve been playing very well, so it makes my job much easier.”
Rivers was sacked five times total in the game. Harris had a third interception nullified by penalty and dropped another.
“It was a special night,” he said. “”Special for me, my team and teammates. Credit to them for putting me in position and just trusting in me.
“When everyone does their job individually, we’re a great defense.”
Harris scored on an interception return for the second time this season when he maneuvered his way 56 yards through the Chargers defense.
“I just saw a really big lineman chasing me to the sideline and I almost slipped,” he said. “After that, I just knew I had to beat him and it was to the end zone.
He took the other back 59 yards to set up a field goal.
The 115 return yards mark the second-most against Rivers in a game over his 16-year career. It’s also the most by any player in an NFL game this season.
Harris is the sixth player since 1991 to have two interceptions in the first quarter and run one back for a score and the first since Cleveland’s Joe Haden in 2013.
He’s also the first Raiders player to have multiple defensive scores in a season since 2013.
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Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.
