FLASH RECAP:
San Diego puts the hurt on Oakland — again.
Drew Brees throws for two touchdowns and Clinton Hart returns an interception for another score as the Chargers defeat the Raiders 34-10 before an announced crowd of 66,436 fans at Qualcomm Stadium on Dec. 4, 2005.
The Chargers (8-4) win their fifth straight game overall and fifth straight against the Raiders (4-7). Oakland falls to 0-5 against AFC West opposition this season and it is 1-14 in its past 15 games against division foes.
With their second straight loss, the Raiders are officially eliminated from postseason contention. Now there's a shocker. Oakland has now missed the playoffs for three straight seasons.
San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for 86 yards on 25 carries despite sustaining a rib injury in the second quarter. Tomlinson had averaged 145.0 rushing yards the past seven games against Oakland.
The Chargers score 24 unanswered points after the Raiders deadlock the score at 10-all on Kerry Collins’ 16-yard pass to Courtney Anderson in the second quarter.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
QB Drew Brees — Is 17-of-22 passing for 160 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions. Brees is 5-0 in his last five starts against Oakland.
S Clinton Hart — Returns a Kerry Collins interception 70 yards for a TD, giving the Chargers a 37-10 lead with 6:29 left.
WR Keenan McCardell — Becomes the 13th player in NFL history with an 8-yard catch in the second quarter. McCardell finishes the game with 4 catches for 60 yards.
P Mike Scifres — His 71-yard punt in the first quarter ties for the third-longest in franchise history.
RB Michael Turner — When Tomlinson takes a breather, Turner rushes for 50 yards, 11 more rushing yards than the Raiders’ output.
LB Kirk Morrison — Former San Diego State star has a game-high 11 tackles.
TE Courtney Anderson — His 16-yard TD catch in the second quarter is his first score since the season opener.
WR Randy Moss — Has seven catches for 74 yards.
DT Terdell Sands — Has one of two Oakland sacks and a tackle for a 4-yard loss on a screen pass.
KEY STAT (S):
The game has only one penalty — on Chargers center Nick Hardwick for unnecessary roughness (head-butting Raiders LB Danny Clark) in the third quarter. Oakland entered the game leading the NFL in penalties (113) and penalty yards (904).
Oakland’s Kerry Collins is 9-of-20 passing for 86 yards and one interception (which is returned for a TD) in the second half. Collins completes 13 of 22 passes for 151 yards and a TD in the first half.
TURNING POINT:
The Chargers score 24 unanswered points after Oakland deadlocks the score at 10-all midway through the second quarter.
BY THE NUMBERS:
0: Sacks by Raiders DE Derrick Burgess, who enters the game tied for the NFL lead with 11 sacks.
2: Raiders total yards in the third quarter. Oakland runs only six plays and has the ball for 89 seconds. The Chargers control the football for 13:31 in the quarter and roll up 115 yards in building a 24-10 lead.
13: Rushing yards by Oakland’s LaMont Jordan in the final three quarters He rushed for 42 yards in the first quarter.
25-7: Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer’s career win-loss record against the Raiders.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders DE Bobby Hamilton
"It’s all about egos now. Who’s going to quit? Who’s going to give up? You hate to say the season’s over for us, but now it’s all about finishing strong and letting it carry over next year."
"We've been able to get up on them and just continue to pound them and pound them. "I think we know that if we go out and play our game and execute that, that should be the result."
Chargers QB Drew Brees
"I cannot remember the last time I coached a football game in the NFL that there was only one penalty. That is absolutely remarkable."
Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders have lost five straight games to the rival Chargers. It’s Oakland’s longest losing streak to San Diego since the Raiders dropped six straight from 1960-1962.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (85) hauls in a TD
pass as Raiders FS Stuart Schweigert (30) defends.
