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Chargers clobber reeling Raiders

Dec 5, 2008 - 5:39 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Facing the Oakland Raiders proved the perfect tonic for the ailing San Diego Chargers.

Philip Rivers threw three touchdown passes and LaDainian Tomlinson ran for another as the Chargers routed the Raiders, 34-7, on Thursday to snap a three-game losing streak and keep their slim playoff chances alive.

The win was San Diego's 11th straight over Oakland, and moved the Chargers (5-8) within 2 1/2 games of the AFC West division-leading Denver Broncos (7-5) with three games remaining for San Diego, including a matchup with the Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium in the regular-season finale on December 28.

"Regardless of what happens with Denver, which we can't control, we're going to keep playing hard," Rivers said. "We're going to keep playing with the same intensity and the same passion. We haven't needed a win this bad in a while. It was good to get a win and keep the shot alive of playing in January."

After struggling on both sides of ball four days prior in a 22-16 loss to Atlanta, San Diego got off to a fast start.

Following a 20-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding on the Chargers' first possession, Shaun Phillips forced a fumble by Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the Chargers capitalized when Tomlinson ran the ball into the end zone from three yards out for a 10-0 lead with 8:43 remaining in the first.

The touchdown was the 21st career for the former league MVP against Oakland, the most by an NFL player against any single opponent through 16 contests.

"It's always fun playing (Oakland)," Tomlinson said. "We match up well against them. We had a great gameplan, and I think we executed the gameplan as well as we have all year, on both sides of the ball."

San Diego never looked back as Rivers tossed three touchdown passes, highlighted by the 59-yard strike to Vincent Jackson that padded the advantage to 24-0 with 9:02 left in the second quarter.

"We're not close, and it's clear that we're not close," Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "We don't play good football; we don't play sound football. We wonder why we don't get the prime-time games, and this is why. You just wonder how many people care and how many people are upset."

The 26-year-old Rivers completed just 10-of-22 passes but amassed 214 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson caught five balls for a career-high 148 yards and a touchdown.

"Sunday was obviously a difficult loss and a short week," Chargers head coach Norv Turner said. "Obviously, our guys did a great job preparing. They came out and played tonight and played the way we're capable of playing."

Russell turned the ball over twice more - both times on interceptions by Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper - and Russell was knocked out of the game with a right ankle injury during the second interception return.

The second-year pro Russell was carted off the field and did not return, finishing 9-for-13 for 68 yards and two interceptions. Post-game x-rays were negative on Russell's sprained ankle.

"Obviously, the three turnovers were too big a deficit for us to overcome," Raiders head coach Tom Cable said. "We really struggled on third down offensively, and I thought that was kind of the tale of the game. We just got behind by too much early, and we could never ever dig our way out."

Andrew Walter replaced Russell and went 8-of-17 passing for 61 yards.

"I'm sick of losing, especially like that," Raiders tight end Zach Miller said. "We never really got going on offense, and when we did, we kept moving the ball and then penalties killed us. As an offense, we were inept today."

Oakland's lone score came on a 92-yard kickoff return by Justin Miller just prior to the end of the first half.

Justin Fargas rushed 12 times for 50 yards and Darren McFadden had one carry for no yards.