FLASH RECAP:
LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for 131 yards and a touchdown and San Diego's relentless defense does the rest as the Chargers dominate Oakland in their 2006 season opener before an announced crowd of 62,578 at McAfee Coliseum on Sept. 11.
Oakland (0-1) suffers only its second home shutout in Art Shell's return as Raiders coach. The Chargers (1-0) win their sixth straight game over the Raiders, equaling a franchise record set from 1960 to 1962.
The Chargers defense has nine sacks (three by linebacker Shawne Merriman) and allows only 129 total yards. The Raiders average a pitiful 2.7 yards on 48 plays.
Quarterback Aaron Brooks, making his Raiders debut after, is sacked more times (seven) than he has pass completions (six). The former New Orleans Saint and Green Bay Packer is 6-of-14 passing for 68 yards before being replaced by Andrew Walter in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders are shut out by the Chargers for the first time in their last 90 regular-season meetings. When the Chargers beat Oakland 44-0 in 1961, Raiders managing general partner Al Davis was a Chargers assistant coach.
The Raiders suffer their first shutout since a 30-0 loss at Kansas City on Dec. 7, 1997. They are shut out at home for the first time since a 17-0 loss to Denver on Oct. 4, 1981.
The Chargers record their first shutout since beating the Cleveland Browns 21-0 on Dec. 19, 2004, and their second shutout since 1993.
Tomlinson's 1-yard touchdown run and two Nate Kaeding field goals give the Chargers a 13-0 lead at halftime. San Diego scores two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the first on a 4-yard pass from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates.
Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer improves to 26-7 against the Raiders. It's the most wins by a coach against the Raiders.
The Raiders suffer their ninth straight loss against AFC West opposition. Oakland has a 2-17 record in its division since 2003.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
Chargers defense — The unit doesn't allow any points, has nine sacks and surrenders only 129 total yards. The Raiders averaged 2.7 yards on 48 plays.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson — Has 131 rushing yards on 31 carries and a TD. His 58-yard run quarter sets up his 1-yard TD run, giving San Diego a 10-0 lead. L.T. has 101 rushing yards on 16 carries (a 6.3 yard average) in the first half.
QB Philip Rivers — Is 8-of-11 passing for 108 yards and one TD with no interceptions in his first NFL start.
P Shane Lechler — Has a 46.7 yard average on nine punts. Four of Lechler's punt land inside the San Diego 20-yard line.
LB Thomas Howard — Contributes a game-high eight solo tackles.
WR Randy Moss — Has a team-high four catches for 47 yards, but his 15-yard taunting penalty in the third quarter helps stop an Oakland drive.
KEY STAT:
The Chargers defense has nine sacks (7 sacks on Aaron Brooks and 2 on Andrew Walter). It's the most sacks allowed by the Raiders since they surrendered 10 sacks during a 28-8 loss at Kansas City in their 1998 season opener.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders coach Art Shell
"We didn't play well, as you could tell. For whatever reason, we didn't meet the intensity level of the San Diego Chargers. No excuses. ... I guess I didn't do a good job getting us prepared to play. I'm very surprised by it."
"They were getting kind of frustrated because we weren't giving the quarterback enough time. They didn't have as much time to throw the ball as they wanted to. We made Aaron Brooks make decisions that he didn't want to make."
Chargers LB Shawne Merriman
"The bottom line is we have to give the quarterback time to throw the football and hit the open receiver. When they're running for their lives every play, it's hard to (succeed), no matter who is in there. It all falls on the offensive line. My level of frustration right now, I can't even describe.”
Raiders LG Barry Sims
BY THE NUMBERS:
4-12: Oakland's record in Monday night games since 1995.
131: Rushing yards by Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who out-gains the Raiders all by himself, 131 yards to 129.
837: LaDainian Tomlinson rushing yards the past six games against Oakland, all San Diego victories.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders lose their sixth straight game to the Chargers, equaling a franchise record. Oakland also dropped six in a row to the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers from 1960 to 1962.
The Raiders are shut out in a season opener for the first time since a 55-0 loss to the host Houston Texans in 1961.
The Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson has rushed for 1,345 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 career games against the Raiders, an average of 122 yards.
Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson (21)
eludes Raiders LB Sam Williams (54).
