Blackout update: Raiders go dark, Chargers save face

The Oakland Raiders' home game against the Denver Broncos will be blacked out locally because the team did not sell out the game in time, the NFL said today.

Games need to be sold out 72 hours before kickoff to avoid a blackout in a 75-mile radius. The Raiders got a one-day extension to sell out their home opener against San Diego on a Monday night but were unable to avoid the blackout against the Broncos.

The Raiders have had two games blacked out each season since taking over ticket sales from Alameda County before the 2006 season. This marks the first division game blacked out during that time.

The Chargers, meanwhile, were able to avoid embarassment and got its blackout lifted, after also requesting a 24-hour extension, for their game against Miami. The game will be shown in L.A. on KCBS-Channel 2 as planned at 1 p.m.

Last week, the Chargers needed a 24-hour extension to sell enough tickets to lift the blackout for its home opener, which they lost 31-26 to Baltimore.

Both of their exhibition games were blacked out, and the team has warned that there may be regular-season blackouts. The team hasn't had a regular-season blackout since 2004.

The Detroit Lions also fell short of a sellout for their game Sunday against Washington.
More than 10,000-plus tickets were available on Wednesday. Last week, the Lions were able to sell 1,700 available tickets in time for the home game against Minnesota.