Chargers Avoid Upset, Stun Raiders

NFL News - September 15th, 2009 - Written by John

It wasn't something to be proud of. After all, these were the Raiders.

But when Darren Sproles raced into the end zone from five yards out, there was a feeling of gratification in escape as the Chargers rallied to avoid losing to lowly Oakland for the first time in the last 12 meetings. San Diego mustered an 86-yard drive and Sproles dove in for the go-ahead score with 18 seconds left to steal one from the Raiders, 24-20, Monday night.

"One thing I know is no team in this league can practice 2-minute situations as much as we do," Rivers told ESPN after the game. "It's a little different executing it on Murphy Canyon Road as it is in Oakland. ... I said: 'Well, we've done this a million times, let's go score. All we need is three.'"

The Raiders have now started seven consecutive seasons with a loss, and probably never had a better chance than Monday.

"Our football team played its guts out and didn't finish the game," Raiders' head coach Tom Cable said. "That's the bottom line."

Amidst questions about the offensive line, Cable brought in guard Cooper Carlisle and tackle Cornell Green in hopes of providing veteran leadership and technique. So far it appears to have worked. Oakland ran all over San Diego in the first half, outgaining the Chargers 217-74. They would finish with 148 rushing yards.

The defense even stepped up. Newly acquired Richard Seymour had two sacks and two tackles for loss in his debut. And defensive back Michael Huff matched his three-year total with a pick and a fumble recovery.

JaMarcus Russell seemed better than his rating of 47.6 would indicate. Despite a half-dozen errant and overthrown balls that left ESPN's color announcers scrupulous, Russell did show several bright spots and was able to keep many of his drives alive. He would've had two touchdown throws on the night if not for a instant replay review that determined Louis Murphy did not complete his catch in the end zone, despite securing the ball for several seconds with two feet down.

The pair would make up for it, however, when Russell hit Murphy for a 57-yard bomb that seemed to give Oakland a huge victory over the division favorites.

But San Diego is the division favorite for a reason and came through with an answer like their loose-pocket management hoped they would. Phillip Rivers, who was given a $93 million extension in the off-season, engineered the aforementioned game-winning drive that would leave Chicago Bears' fans racing for their blogs.

"People talk about quarterbacks that handle pressure, that respond and lead their teams from behind," San Diego coach Norv Turner gushed about his captain on ESPN. "He's done it continuously and he's done it in some real difficult situations like tonight."

Rivers would finish 24-for-36 for 252 yards.

LaDainian Tomlinson, who fans were reminded all night long was out to prove "haters" wrong about his effectiveness, ran for a serviceable 55 yards and a touchdown. His score came in the second quarter on a one-yard push that tied the game at seven. It would grow to 10-all before a scoring barrage in the fourth quarter that saw four lead changes.

After a Sebastian Janikowski field goal, San Diego took the lead when Rivers hit Vincent Jackson for a 15-yard touchdown to make it 17-13.

Murphy's catch then gave the Raiders their last lead of the game before the winning march by Rivers.

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