Chargers’ Dale Was Waiting for Raiders’ Other Shoe to Drop

Jeff Dale knew all too well what was coming from Todd Christensen and Marcus Allen.

But with the game on the line in overtime Thursday night, the San Diego Chargers’ strong safety was unable to stop the two plays that enabled the Raiders to win, 37-31.

Christensen, the Raiders’ tight end, caught a 28-yard pass from Jim Plunkett that preceded a 28-yard touchdown run by Allen to overcame a 21-point rally by the Chargers.

“I tried to study Christensen in the films this week,” Dale said. “What I saw was how tough it is to play him. He gets away with a lot--pushing off, grabbing jerseys--and he runs exactly the routes he wants. He’s the best tight end in football today.

“On the last pass, I was running step for step with him. I had him inside, with deep outside help. He went outside, and all I could do was tip the ball a little. It was a helluva pass by Plunkett.”

Christensen’s catch gave the Raiders a first down at the San Diego 38. Allen then ran for 10 yards before his game-breaking touchdown run.

Dale had an idea the play was coming, but he was powerless to prevent it.

“Somebody had called out before the snap, ‘Look out for the lag draw,”’ Dale said. “That may not bewhat the Raiders call it, but I had a good idea what the play was going to be.

“I was lined up over the tight end when either a guard or tackle pulled out and hit me. I got a hand on Marcus, but it wasn’t enough to stop him. When he got away from me, I thought, ‘Uh-oh.’ Our corners were locked in man coverage on their receivers, and there was not a lot of help left behind me. I was just hoping somebody would get him.”

Coach Al Saunders knew better.

“It was a terrific run,” he said. “If you give Marcus a chance to get in the open field, he’ll do a lot of damage.

“We had controlled him pretty well all night, but he’s like a great fighter. He’ll hurt you if you give him enough chances.”

Mistakes and penalties hurt the Chargers as much as Christensen and Allen.

The Chargers, 1-3 under Saunders and 2-10 overall, committed five turnovers.

Since succeeding Don Coryell, Saunders has stressed the elimination of penalties and turnovers, but his team was buried by them in this game.

A blocked punt and an interception helped put the Chargers behind, 14-0, in the first quarter.

Shortly before halftime, a roughing the passer penalty against rookie Leslie O’Neal got the Raiders out of a jam.

Plunkett followed with a 51-yard pass to Jesse Hester and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dokie Williams for a 21-10 lead.

Lester Hayes’ interception early in the third quarter led to a 52-yard field goal by Chris Bahr.

Hayes ran 39 yards for a touchdown after Jerry Robinson stripped Wes Chandler of a pass on the next series. The Raiders led, 31-10.

“We’ve worked so hard to eliminate turnovers and penalties,” Saunders said. “It was a real disappointment to see (mistakes) tonight. We played hard enough and intensely enough to win, but not smart enough.”

Probably the smartest thing Saunders did all night was remove starting quarterback Tom Flick and insert Mark Herrmann with the Chargers down by 21 points in the third quarter.

Flick started in place of Dan Fouts, who was unable to throw because of a shoulder injury he suffered Sunday against Dallas.

Herrmann had not played in nearly a month. He had suffered a concussion in a game at Philadelphia, and practiced little while waiting for the headaches to leave him.

“Tom deserved to start tonight,” said Herrmann, who has been at his best in relief roles since coming to the Chargers in 1985. “I just had to bide my time. I feel comfortable coming off the bench; I don’t want to make it a habit, but I know it’s my role.”

Herrmann completed 13 of 23 passes for 198 yards as the Chargers caught the Raiders and sent the game into overtime.

“When I went in, we were behind by three touchdowns, and there was no time to be mess around,” Herrmann said. “I was just going to let it all hang out. It could have been a rout if we didn’t score quickly.

“We were able to get a spark going and find a rhythm. The Raiders, who usually play man-to-man pass coverages, played more zones and we were finding the gaps and moving the ball around.”

Herrmann took the defeat with a measure of grace and optimism.

“It’s a shame all that effort couldn’t pay dividends, but I think we’re setting the foundation for a great team,” he said. “This is going to be a great team someday.”