Chargers Step It Up, Rout Oakland
Chargers 34, Raiders 7
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Friday, December 5, 2008; Page E06
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 4 -- LaDainian Tomlinson can still run the ball and his San Diego Chargers finally looked like world-beaters.
It might not matter, though, because the Chargers still need a miracle to get to the playoffs.
Tomlinson scored on a three-yard run against his favorite punching bag and Philip Rivers threw three touchdown passes, including a 59-yarder to Vincent Jackson, to give the Chargers a 34-7 victory against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night.
The Chargers beat their arch rivals for the 11th straight time in a series dating from the birth of the AFL in 1960.
The Chargers (5-8) snapped a three-game losing streak and won for just the second time in seven games. Once considered favorites to reach the Super Bowl, they're still in deep trouble, trailing Denver by 2 1/2 games in the AFC West. The Broncos have four to play.
"It was desperately needed but it was one win for us," Tomlinson said. "We don't want to make it more than what it is."
On Sunday, Tomlinson was held to 24 yards, the second-lowest total of his brilliant eight-year career, in a listless 22-16 home loss to Atlanta.
"After the showing last week, I think we wanted to prove to everyone that that wasn't us," said Tomlinson, who's having the worst season of his career. "It's good that it was a short week. We got to show people who we are as a group."
San Diego's Darren Sproles caught two touchdown passes. His 87-yard touchdown on a punt return in the fourth quarter was called back after rookie Antoine Cason was called for an illegal block in the back.
Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell was intercepted twice by linebacker Stephen Cooper and also lost a fumble, leading to 17 points for the Chargers. Russell sprained his right ankle after his second interception and didn't return. X-rays were negative, and Russell left the locker room on crutches.
Andrew Walter replaced Russell at the start of the third quarter. Walter was intercepted by Matt Wilhelm late in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders (3-10) reached double-digit losses for the sixth straight year. They are 22-71 since being routed by Tampa Bay and former Raiders coach Jon Gruden in the Super Bowl in San Diego on Jan. 26, 2003.
"It's clear that we're not close," cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "You just wonder how many people care and how many people are upset."
Tomlinson's touchdown midway through the first quarter was his 137th, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the career list. He had been tied with Marshall Faulk, who was working the game for the NFL Network.
Tomlinson had 91 yards on 25 carries. He has 1,906 career rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns, 19 on the ground, in 16 games against the Raiders. They are his most yards and touchdowns against any opponent.
