LAS VEGAS — Quarterback Derek Carr threw touchdown passes of 31 and 45 yards to Davante Adams in the opening minutes of the third quarter and the Las Vegas Raiders went on to send the Chargers to their third loss in four games, a 27-20 defeat Sunday that damaged their playoff hopes.

Carr’s first scoring pass to Adams came after running back Austin Ekeler fumbled and the Raiders recovered at the Chargers’ 38-yard line. Carr’s second touchdown pass, on a flea flicker, came after Cameron Dicker pushed a 52-yard field try wide right, his first miss of the season.

In a span of only 4:07, the Chargers watched a 13-10 halftime lead turn into a 24-13 deficit. The Chargers (6-6) needed a victory to catch the New York Jets (7-5) in the AFC wild-card playoff race.  The Raiders (5-7) are chasing the Chargers among others on the outside looking in.

Justin Herbert’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen on a fourth-and-12 play brought the Chargers to within 27-20 (after Cameron Dicker’s extra point) with 8:34 remaining in the game. The Chargers got the ball back after a Raiders punt with 5:12 remaining and 91 yards to negotiate.

The Chargers made it as far as the Raiders’ 42 before turning it over on downs.

The Raiders hit the Chargers where they were the most vulnerable in the early going, pressuring Herbert and sacking him four times in the first half and also opening plenty of running room for Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher going into Sunday’s action around the league.

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The Chargers’ patchwork offensive line took on Raiders defensive ends Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones and it didn’t go so well. Jones, in particular, was in Herbert’s face on most of his dropbacks. The Chargers’ injury-riddled defensive line had their moments against Jacobs, but just not enough of them.

Still, the Chargers managed to lead 13-10 by halftime, thanks to Bryce Callahan’s 26-yard interception return and Dicker’s field goals from 37 and 34 yards. Callahan, listed as questionable to play because of a groin injury, eased the pressure on the Chargers’ offense with the TD.

Dicker’s 37-yard field goal with 11:37 left in the half extended the Chargers’ lead to 10-0. It wouldn’t last, though. Jacobs scored untouched on a 20-yard touchdown run and Daniel Carlson made a 55-yard field goal to tie it with 2:17 left in the half. Dicker’s 34-yard field goal then made it 13-10.