FLASH RECAP:
A rejuvenated running game and punishing defense propel Oakland to a stunning victory over San Diego before an announced crowd of 68,183 at Qualcomm Stadium on Dec. 5, 2010.
The loss ends the Chargers' NFL-record tying 18-game win streak in December. Their last December loss was on Dec. 31, 2005. San Diego had been tied with the 1970-74 Miami Dolphins, who won 18 straight in Novembers.
The Raiders, who snap the Chargers' four-game win streak, have 251 rushing yards on 52 carries against San Diego's third-ranked rush defense. Oakland had only 77 rushing yards its previous two games.
Oakland's Darren McFadden finishes with 97 rushing yards on 19 carries and Michael Bush has 95 rushing yards on 23 attempts. They both have 7-yard touchdown runs.
Oakland's defense allows only 286 total yards, has four sacks and forces two turnovers. San Diego enters the game with the NFL's No. 1-ranked offense
“Everyone was talking all week long about the hottest team in football and on and on,” Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour tells reporters after Oakland ends a two-game losing streak. “We give them a lot of credit. They are a good football team, but we just understand what we need to do in order to beat these guys. And we give a lot of credit to the offensive line. We just wanted to run it at them.”
McFadden said: "This is a great win for us; I don’t think anybody picked us to win this game."
The Raiders turn two first-quarter San Diego turnovers into touchdowns for a 14-0 lead. Jason Campbell scores on a 9-yard run after a Chargers' muffed punt. Following a Philip Rivers interception, Campbell throws a 4-yard scoring pass to Jacoby Ford.
Bush's 7-yard TD run gives Oakland a 21-3 lead late in the first half.
The lone flaw in Oakland's performance is a whopping 13 penalties for 105 yards.
Oakland (6-6) sweeps the two-game season series from San Diego (6-6) for the first time since 2001. The Raiders had lost 13 straight games to their California AFC West rival before a 35-27 triumph in Oakland on Oct. 10.
The Raiders end an eight-game losing streak at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, including seven straight losses to the Chargers. The dubious streak began on Jan. 23, 2003 when Oakland lost 48-21 to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
Raiders defense — The unit allows only 286 total yards, surrenders one TD and has four sacks against the NFL's top-ranked offense.
RBs Darren McFadden & Michael Bush — They combine for 192 of the Raiders' 251 rushing yards and each have a TD.
QB Jason Campbell — Completes 10 of 16 passes for 117 yards and a TD. He has 37 rushing yards on seven carries, including a 9-yard scoring run on a naked bootleg in the first quarter. Most importantly, Campbell manages Oakland's offense efficiently without a turnover and finishes with a 105.5 passer rating.
TE Antonio Gates — Has six catches for 73 yards and a TD. His 4-yard scoring catch with 9:59 left narrows the Chargers' deficit to 21-13.
WR Malcolm Floyd — Contributes five catches for 72 yards.
QB Philip Rivers — Completes 23 of 29 passes for 280 yards and a TD but seldom finds a rhythm against Oakland's punishing defense.
KEY STATS:
The Raiders limit the Chargers to 286 total yards, including 265 passing yards. San Diego enters the game ranked first in the league in total yards (407.5 yards) and second in passing yards (294.3).
Oakland has 251 rushing yards on 52 carries. San Diego enters the game ranked third against the run (81.1 yards per game).
San Diego's Philip Rivers is sacked four times. San Diego allowed only 25 sacks during its first 11 games.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders RB Michael Bush
"If you don’t win this game, there’s no playoffs because we can’t win the AFC West. But it’s a playoff mindset from here on out, because every game is big."
"It’s a sign of resiliency and showing we’re not a team that gives up."
Raiders CB Nnamdi Asmougha
"It’s disappointing. I didn’t make some throws. I didn’t play as well as I needed to. I didn’t play winning football.”
Chargers QB Philip Rivers
“Watching Cam Newton at Auburn, I had to go back to my Auburn days and make some plays with my feet. That’s something that helps our team when I’m able to do things like that and put pressure on the defense.”
Raiders QB Jason Campbell
BY THE NUMBERS:
4-0: Raiders record against AFC West opposition this season.
6: Oakland victories in a season for the first time since 2002. The Raiders had won five or fewer games in a season from 2003 to 2009.
8-15: Raiders' third-down conversions. Oakland is 2 of 2 on fourth-down tries. By Comparison, the Chargers are 3 of 10 on third downs and 0 of 2 on fourth downs.
11: San Diego rushing yards through the game's first three quarters. The Chargers finish with 21 rushing yards on eight attempts. Oakland enters the game ranked 28th against the run, allowing 123.7 yards per game.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders' 251 rushing yards is the 11th highest total against the Chargers and most since 2007.
San Diego has no first downs rushing for only the second time in franchise history.
Raiders DT Tommy Kelly
sacks the Chargers' Philip Rivers.
By K.C. Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune
