The Raiders and Chargers.
It is a rivalry that goes back to the 1960 beginnings of the American Football League. Both teams have taken securious routes to their current homes. The Chargers had started in Los Angeles and soon had relocated to San Diego where they played for nearly six decades before returning to Los Angeles two years ago.
The Raiders started in Oakland, the last franchise added to the original group of eight AFL teams. Originally, there was a franchise slated for the AFL out of Minnesota, but only months before the AFL played their first game, National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle made a deal with the would-be Minnesota owner that if he gave up his AFL team in 1960 the league would award him an NFL franchise in 1961.
That was the start of the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland became a twelfth hour addition to the AFL lineup of teams. The Raiders have moved more often than my family over the past 40 years. Leaving Oakland in 1982 for Los Angeles, and returning to their original home in 1994. Two years ago, the Raiders bolted again, and now make their home in Las Vegas.
The Los Angeles Chargers were the class of the AFL initially and they had a young offensive coach who Chargers Head Coach Sid Gilman had hired away from the college ranks at the University of Southern California. His name was … wait for it … Al Davis.
Davis was lured to a struggling Oakland franchise by majority owner Wayne Valley before the 1963 season and Davis quickly turned the fortunes of the Raiders from doormat to dominant.
First as a coach, briefly as the AFL commissioner that brought about the merger of the NFL and AFL, and again as owner and managing general partner of the Silver and Black.
These two storied franchises meet tonight to decide the final entrant into the 2021 playoff field. If they tie, well then both teams advance to the postseason. If that happens, there will be accelerated talks to get rid of this odd number of games format. In a stroke of genius, one-time Buffalo Bills General Manager Bill Polian, had predicted at the beginning of this season that a ridiculous scenario like the one that could play out tonight was possible with an odd number of games.
And so it is.
Tie and both advance; one wins and one is eliminated.
In all likelihood, one will win tonight and their opponent will be home watching telvision next week during the Wild Card weekend action.
The bookmakers think the winner is the visiting Chargers. Los Angeles was installed as a 2½ point favorite on the opening line and while getting public backing, Los Angeles is now posted as a three point favorite.
The Chargers laying points on the road is not my idea of a good way to grow a wagering bankroll.
The Raiders beating the Chargers after all the turmoil the team has endured this season … not my choice either.
I’m just watching tonight to see if the unthinkable happens and the two teams tie.