Filed under: Raiders, AFC West
Chargers at RaidersScore: Raiders 35, Chargers 27
The Storyline: Finally, the Raiders just won, against the San Diego Chargers. Ending a 13-game losing streak stretching over seven years, the Raiders beat the Chargers 35-27 in a game that featured four lead changes, two blocked Chargers punts, a 400-yard passing game by San Diego's Philip Rivers and a second-half comeback led by backup Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell after starter Bruce Gradkowski was knocked out with a shoulder injury. The Chargers were moving the ball and appeared on the brink of pulling out another victory against the Raiders with just under a minute remaining. But blitzing safety Michael Huff hit Rivers before he could get the pass away, forcing a fumble that Tyvon Branch returned 64 yards for a touchdown to at long last seal the Raiders' win against the Chargers.
Key Moment: Trailing 27-22 with 12 minutes remaining, the Raiders, behind Jason Campbell, put together a clutch 14-play, 73-yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:39 left to play. Campbell went 6 of 7 for 59 yards on the drive, converting a critical fourth-and-1 play from the Chargers' 24-yard line with a 12-yard completion to Brandon Myers. Michael Bush finished the drive, powering into the end zone from 3 yards out, putting the Raiders back in front by a point.
Key Stat: The Chargers outgained the Raiders 506 yards to 279 yards and Philip Rivers passed for 431 yards, but it was not enough to overcome three lost fumbles, along with two blocked punts that led to an early 12-0 Raiders lead. Rock Cartwright blocked the first punt for a safety, Sebastian Janikowski had a field goal following San Diego's free kick and Brandon Myers blocked San Diego's second punt that was returned 5 yards for a touchdown by Hiram Eugene.
Where they stand: At 2-3, the Chargers are tied with the Raiders and Broncos for second-place in the AFC West, behind front-running Kansas City (3-1).
Notable: Overlooked in all the back-and-forth and wild turns in the game was the performance of Michael Bush, who ran for 104 yards on 26 carries, including the go-ahead 3-yard touchdown while handling the bulk of the backfield duties in place of injured Darren McFadden.
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