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QB Russell to make first start

Dec 30, 2007 - 11:24 AM San Diego (10-5) at Oakland (4-11) 4:15 pm EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- After much anticipation, Oakland Raiders' rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell will make his first career start in Sunday's regular-season finale against the San Diego Chargers.

The first pick in this year's draft, Russell held out in training camp. He finally signed a six-year, $68 million contract, but not until after the first game of the season.

Russell did not make his debut until Week 13 and has completed only 13-of-35 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in three appearances.

Russell struggled badly in last week's 49-11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing only 7-of-23 passes for 83 yards while committing four turnovers.

The Raiders experienced some anxious moments in the second quarter, when Russell was briefly knocked out with a head injury, but he started the second half and finished the game.

Oakland will become the ninth team this season to start three quarterbacks. Daunte Culpepper (six games) and Josh McCown (nine) also have started for the Raiders, who have dropped three straight contests.

Oakland is assured of its fifth consecutive season with double-figure losses, although it has doubled last year's win total (2-14).

Tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers need a win or a Steelers' loss to the Baltimore Ravens to clinch the AFC's No. 3 seed. San Diego holds a tiebreaker edge over Pittsburgh due to a better conference record.

The Chargers will host a first-round playoff game next week. If they nail down the No. 3 seed, they will avoid Jacksonville in the opening round and face either Cleveland or Tennessee, who are battling for the second wild card spot.

San Diego defeated the Denver Broncos, 23-3, on Christmas Eve for its fifth straight win.

LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 107 yards on 19 carries to take over the NFL's rushing lead with 1,418 yards. He is looking to capture his second straight rushing title.