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Early Lightning Leads to 13 Wins in a Row over Raiders

San Diego Chargers defeat Oakland Raiders 24-16
By Abby Brown-McLellan
Posted on Mon, Nov 2nd, 2009
Last updated Mon, Nov 2nd, 2009

In another much needed win, the San Diego Chargers (4-3) defeated the Oakland Raiders (2-6) 24-16 marking the 13th consecutive victory over the rival team. This is currently the longest winning streak among any pair of teams in the NFL. Fortunately for Charger fans, with the Denver Broncos’ (6-1) loss to the Baltimore Ravens (4-3), San Diego is now only two games back in the AFC West.

The most exciting action of the game occurred early on when the Chargers finally broke their 22-game streak (2nd longest in the NFL going into the game) of not scoring a touchdown in their first possession. After receiving the opening kickoff, Oakland earned a couple first downs before Jamarcus Russell threw his first pass. The pass was thrown directly to Antonio Cromartie, his first interception of the season.

On Philip Rivers’ first play from scrimmage, he dropped back and threw a deep 53-yard pass to Malcom Floyd who jumped high into the air for a great catch. The fans cheered the dramatic change from the typical first play handoff to LaDainian Tomlinson. On the second play for the first time Norv Turner called for the wildcat offense. The ball was directly hiked directly to Tomlinson. Tomlinson then proceeded to do what he normally does against the Raiders: he found the end zone on a 6-yard run. The Chargers were quickly up 7 – 0 on only two plays in 55 seconds.

A few weeks ago, at the “In The Huddle” fundraiser for Huntington’s Disease*, Turner had publicly hinted that the wildcat was coming. In response to a question by a fan, Turner explained we are working on the wildcat. With a healthy Tomlinson, Turner said, “At some point we might bring it out.” For Tomlinson it was a long time coming. After the game he said, “We worked on it the whole off-season . . . so we had been doing it. We were just sitting there like, ‘Coach when are going to call it?’”

Late in the first quarter Oakland tied the game at 7-7 with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Justin Fargas. This drive was set up by a Chris Johnson interception of Rivers at midfield on a ball that bounced off of Vincent Jackson’s hands.

Jackson made up for it on the subsequent drive when Rivers found him alone in the end zone to cap off a 78-yard drive to give the Chargers a 14-7 lead.

On the Chargers next possession, with 0:54 to go in the half, Tomlinson once again burned the Raiders on a 10-yard rushing touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Chargers special teams had a letdown allowing Jonathan Holland to return the kickoff 60-yards, only to be dragged down from behind by kicker Nate Kaeding. This set up a 48-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal and the Chargers had 21-10 lead at the half.

For the second game in the row, the Chargers did not play as well in second half as they did in the first.

The Raiders dominated the ball in 3rd quarter, including getting another turnover at midfield as a result of Darren Sproles fumbling the ball on a punt return. When Sproles landed on the ground it appeared that he had recovered the ball, but it was ruled that Gary Russell had recovered it for Oakland.

This lead to a Janikowski 28-yard field goal his second of the half. With 12:38 to the Raiders were in striking distance at 21-16.

On the Chargers’ following possession they were backed up on their own 10 yard line on a 3rd and 8 when Rivers found Chris Chambers who had not been heard from for the entire game or most of the season. Chambers made a nice over the shoulder catch for a 20-yard gain to extend the drive. Chambers was Rivers sixth different receiver of the day. Regarding his variety of weapons to throw to Rivers said, “It’s fun to be the quarterback when you have those type of guys.”

Rivers then continued to drive the Chargers all the way down to a first and goal on the Raiders 3-yard line. Unfortunately, the Chargers’ red zone ineptness found a way to raise its ugly head. A false start backed them up 5 yards. A short run and a 3-yard sack quickly brought up 3rd and goal from the 9. Jackson then dropped a touchdown pass and the Chargers settled for a Kaeding field goal to widen the score to 24-16.

Down only by 8 with 4:43 to go, the Raiders had hope.

Then on the Raiders’ final drive, Shawne Merriman sacked Russell. This was Merriman’s second sack of the game and yesterday was the first time that, “Lights Out” was flashed on the scoreboard since 2007.

With 0:54 to go the Raiders turned the ball over on downs and the Chargers’ victory was secured.

Other than the dramatic first possession, this game for the Chargers should have been stronger. They allowed the Raiders to be a legitimate threat at the end of the game and Charger fans know too well how often those types of threats get fulfilled.

Now the Chargers will turn their focus to another hated opponent, Eli Manning and the New York Giants (5-3). To keep winning the Chargers will need strong play for a complete game against a strong team and that is something they have yet to do this season.

That being the case, right now the San Diego’s fate is closely tied with Denver’s. Fans will have to wait until Monday night to see where the standings lie. Go Steelers!

* For information about the “In The Huddle” event, read the SanDiego.com article "A Night of Hope".