FLASH RECAP:
Carson Palmer throws for two touchdowns and Michael Bush has 157 rushing yards to propel visiting Oakland to a victory over reeling San Diego before an announced crowd of 68,109 at Qualcomm Stadium on Nov. 10, 2011.
Bush's 1-yard TD run and Palmer's 33-yard scoring pass to Denarius Moore helps the Raiders (5-4) build a 17-3 lead before halftime. Philip Rivers throws two second-half TD passes as the Chargers (4-5) twice narrow the deficit to seven points,
Rivers is sacked on the game's final two plays near midfield as Oakland snaps a two-game losing streak and hands San Diego its fourth straight loss.
"I wouldn't call it a must-win, but it was a big win for us," Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour tells reporters after Oakland's third sraight victory over San Diego. "These games in a sense count twice. It's a win and also it's a win in the division. It gives us a leg up right now."
With the victory, the Raiders take sole possesion of first place in the AFC West. They lead Kansas City (4-4) by one-half game and a game over San Diego.
Trailing 24-10 late in the third quarter, the Chargers have an apparent 33-yard touchdown catch by Vincent Brown nullified. Referee Ed Hochuli explains that when Brown momentarily losses control of the ball that Oakland cornerback Lito Sheppard touches the ball while sitting out of bounds.
“You know, a touchdown to me is a touchdown,” Chargers coach Norv Turner tells reporters afterward. “That was a touchdown.”
Three plays after Brown's catch is nullified, Rivers throws a 7-yard scoring pass to Jacob Hester on the final play of the third quarter.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
QB Carson Palmer — Is 14 of 20 passing for 299 yards and two TDs with one INT and a 125.0 passer rating.
RB Michael Bush — Has a season-high 157 rushing yards on 30 carries and a TD and catches three passes for 85 yards.
WR Denarius Moore — Has 123 receiving yards on five catches including two for touchdowns on 33- and 26- yard catches.
OLB Kamerion Wimbley — Has four of the Raiders' six sacks (a season high) and a team-high seven tackles.
QB Philip Rivers — Throws for 274 yards and two TDs but has an interception and a lost fumble in the game's final four minutes.
WR Vincent Brown — Has 97 receiving yards on five catches and a TD.
TE Antonio Gates — Has five catches for 54 yards.
KEY STATS:
The Raiders' Michael Bush has 242 scrimmage yards (a season-high 157 rushing & 85 receiving on three catches).
Oakland has seven penalties for 45 yards after having a whopping 29 penalties the previous two games.
In building a 17-3 halftime lead, Oakland limits San Diego to 65 total yards, including 44 passing.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders QB Carson Palmer
“We had a real good rhythm going. There were some great play calls at the right time. We still have some things to get better at, but it’s just good to come into this environment and get a win.”
“We’ve got to do some soul-searching. … We’ve got to figure out what we want to do with the rest of the seven-game season.”
Chargers S Eric Weddle
“Obviously some of the offensive linemen went down and we smelled blood and we just went after him."
Raiders DT Richard Seymour
BY THE NUMBERS:
3: Consecutive Raiders wins over the Chargers after losing the previous 13 games to San Diego.
4: Pass completions by San Diego's Philip Rivers in 11 attempts for 44 yards in the first half.
6: Raiders sacks on the Chargers' Philip Rivers.
191: Raiders rushing yards on 41 carries, including 157 yards by Michael Bush.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders win their second straight road game against the Chargers after losing the previous seven.
With their fourth straight loss, the Chargers have their longest losing streak since starting the 2003 season with five losses.
Oakland's Denarius Moore hauls in a Carson
Palmer pass in front of San Diego's Quentin Jammer.
By Denis Poroy/The Associated Press
