The recent Raiders vs Chargers rivalry makes one reminisce of Daryle Lamonica and the Oakland Raiders of the old American Football League (AFL). Quarterback Aidan O’Connell did his best Lamonica impression as he threw for four touchdowns in the first half. The Raiders scored 49 points, in the 30 minutes. They defeated the Chargers 63-21 in a beat down at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Watching the one-sided affair brough back memories of the wide-open offenses that the Raiders embodied during their ten seasons in the AFL. One can trace the rivalry beginning with the formation of the league in 1960 and the contrast of the two teams. The Chargers – representing Southern California – and the Raiders, based in Oakland, and represented Northern California presented two different life style and team cultures. The first three years of play, the Chargers, who moved from Los Angeles to San Diego after their first season, were the better of the two teams, as Oakland was 9-33 their first three seasons.
In 1963 the Raiders hired Al Davis to be their head coach and general manager. He had previously served as an assistant coach for the Chargers from 1960 – 1962 under Sid Gilliam. Davis, took many of Gilliam’s vertical passing game concepts with him to Oakland. Previously, Davis had been an assistant coach at The Citadel in the late 1950s.
Hiring of Al Davis
Two games from 1963 have helped to fuel a rivalry that continues to this day. The hiring of Davis from the Chargers contributed as well. In the first head-head game that year Chargers quarterback John Hadl three five interceptions. The game nevertheless was highly competitive as the Powder Blue mounted a comeback. They wound up falling short, 34-33 at Balboa Stadium in San Diego. Quarterback Tom Flores, who later coached the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories, led the Raiders to the victory. Lamonica was not the starting quarterback for the franchise until 1967,
Both teams were very good that season. When the Chargers travelled up the coast late in the season, the Divisional title was at still up for grabs. Quarterback Tobin Rote, who had replaced Hadl during the season as the starting quarterback, led the Chargers to a 27-10 lead after three quarters as Rote passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns. The game was held at Frank Youell Field in Oakland, with an estimated seating capacity of 22,000.
At that point, many of the Raider fans began to filter out and leave the facility. They would miss a furious comeback, and what one could state as the genesis of the rivalry that endures still today. Cotton Davidson, who had also seen quarterback play along with Flores throughout the season led the Raiders, as they scored the last 27 points in the fourth quarter to stun the Chargers, 41-27.
Raiders vs. Chargers Rivalry
Despite the two losses, the San Diego Chargers would be the Western Division champion, as they finished with 11-3 record during the regular season. Led by AFL Coach of the Year Al Davis, the Raiders finished 10-4. Tobin Rote, the league’s MVP, had an outstanding offense, that featured receiver Lance Alworth (61 receptions for 1205 yards) and running backs Paul Lowe (1010 yards rushing) and Keith Lincoln (826 yards rushing). The Chargers would go on to defeat the Boston Patriots, 51-10 in the AFL Championship game.
Some people will cite the 1978 Holy Roller player as the impetus to the two team’s rivalries. That play contributed to the Chargers missing the playoffs that season. And some will cite the 1980 AFC Championship game between the two teams as incendiary between the two teams. Jim Plunkett bested Dan Fouts 34-27 that day; the Raiders would go on to win a Super Bowl defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. That game remains the closes the Chargers have gotten to the Super Bowl.
Saying that Aidan O’Connell channeled Tom Flores for a game just doesn’t seem to capture the spirit of the Raider Silver and Black. But it was the two 1963 games, well before Darlye Lamonica, that helped shape the Raider – Charger rivalry of today
Barry Schustermann
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