Chargers get lucky 13 against Raiders

The Chargers made it 13 straight wins against the Raiders on Sunday with a 24-16 victory over the Silver and Black. The win didn’t come easily for San Diego as Oakland gave the Bolts all they could handle similar to their opening day match up. Nevertheless the Chargers added another number to the win column and even gained ground on first place Denver who lost for the first time in 2009.

The struggles of Raiders quarterback Jamarcus Russell seem to worsen with each week, and they continued at Qualcomm Stadium much to the delight of the Chargers. On the game’s opening drive Russell threw an interception that set up the Chargers first score. A 53 yard pass from Phillip Rivers followed by a six yard run from LaDainian Tomlinson gave San Diego an early 7-0 lead. But despite the mistake the Raiders would not go quietly. Later on in the first quarter Oakland got an interception of their own, picking off a Rivers pass intended for Vincent Jackson. A low block penalty helped bring the Raiders deep into San Diego territory where they were able to use primarily running plays and ultimately tie the game on a three yard touchdown run by Jason Fargas.

However, the Chargers wasted no time in responding to the Raiders score. In fact, they would reach the end zone on each of their next two possessions. The first touchdown came on an eight yard pass from Rivers to Jackson, which ended a 12 play 78 yard drive that took seven and a half minutes off the clock. On the Chargers next possession Tomlinson rushed for his second touchdown of the game and gave San Diego a 21-7 lead. Oakland added a field goal just prior to half time, but it appeared that the contest was well in the hands of the Chargers.

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In the second half the Raiders, rather than simply fade away, continued to hang tough against their division rivals. The Oakland defense forced two three and outs by the San Diego offense and chipped away at the score with successive field goals. Suddenly, a game that looked like a potential laugher for the Chargers had become a nail biter with only five points separating the teams at 21-16. But with 12:39 remaining in the fourth quarter Phillip Rivers and company set out on a drive to put the Raiders to sleep. Another lengthy drive of 15 plays, 83 yards and nearly eight minutes placed the Chargers in field goal range. Kaeding’s kick from 28 yards was good and the Chargers were up 24-16.

The only hope that remained for the Raiders was to get a touchdown and a two point conversion to tie. Oakland started out at their own 26 yard line and had moved the ball to the San Diego 44, converting a fourth and seven along the way. But at the 44 is where the Chargers defense stiffened, sacking Jamarcus Russell twice and forcing the Raiders into long yardage situations. Oakland could not convert on a fourth and 20 and the game was all but over.

The win was the Chargers second in a row, their first winning streak of the season, and pulled them to within two games of the Broncos. The Chargers will gladly take it, but their next two opponents, the Giants and Eagles, will be much greater challenges than their last two, the Chiefs and Raiders. If the Chargers are going to be serious playoff contenders this year they’re going to need to beat better teams in the NFL. Next week they’ll travel across the country and get their chance against the Giants.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com San Diego Chargers Correspondent