Chargers Get Thirteenth Straight Win Over Oakland 24-16

NFL News - November 2nd, 2009 - Written by Scott

The San Diego Chargers got 2 touchdowns from running back LaDainian Tomlinson on Sunday as they continued their dominance over the Oakland Raiders winning 24-16. The Chargers have now won thirteen straight over the Raiders, the longest active winning streak by one team over another. Tomlinson only had 56 yards on the ground, but his two touchdowns played a huge part in their win, along with a very strong defensive effort. They Chargers allowed only 180 total yards and sacked Raiders' quarterback JaMarcus Russell 5 times. Shawne Merriman also recorded his first sack since 2007.

"It's one of those things that was long coming," Merriman said. "I don't put as big an emphasis on sacks as everybody else does. But they are important. I realize I've got to go out and make plays and get those sacks in order for us to be a better defense. As long as I'm doing that and putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing him to do things that he doesn't want to do, we're going to be better."

Tomlison got the Chargers on the board first on a 6 yard touchdown run to put San Diego ahead 7-0. On the opening drive of the second quarter, Raider's running back Justin Fargas would score from 3 yards out to tie the score at 7. With six minutes remaining until halftime, Vincent Jackson would haul in a 8 yards touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to give the Chargers the lead 14-7. Tomlinson would then add his second touchdown run from 10 yards out to extend their lead to 21-7. With :11 seconds remaining until intermission, Raiders place kicker Sebastian Janikowski would connect on a 48 yard field goal to bring the score to 21-10 heading into halftime.

Janikowski would hit his third field goal of the game early in the third quarter to bring the Raiders within 5. Chargers place kicker Nate Kaeding would seal the game with 4:43 left on his 28 yard field goal to give the Chargers their 24-16 win.

NFL betting odds had the Chargers (4-3) favored by 15 over Oakland. They failed to cover, but did pick up an important win as they now are only to games behind in the AFC West after Denver's loss on Sunday. Rivers played well in the victory and threw for 249 yards and 1 touchdown. He was only sacked once and was greatly impressed with the Chargers defense.

"Not that they haven't been applying pressure, but it's good to see. There's something to getting the quarterback on the ground," Rivers said. "I think it's huge. The thing about sacks, just what I've seen from the sideline, these guys have had a force in some of these games. But when you don't see it in sacks, it doesn't get the attention."

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