The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

December 4, 2008

Tomlinson, Rivers lead Chargers to 34-7 win over Raiders

By Bernie Wilson

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers finally looked like world-beaters.

It’s probably too late.

LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a 3-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.

It was San Diego’s 11th straight win over their archrivals in a series dating to 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 going to need a miracle to reach the playoffs. They trail Denver by 2 1/2 games in the AFC West, and the Broncos have four to play.

San Diego’s Darren Sproles caught two TD 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 didn’t get up right away after throwing his second interception and was later taken to the locker room on a cart with an injured right ankle.

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.

Tomlinson’s TD midway through the first quarter was the 137th of his brilliant eight-year career, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the career list. He had been tied with Marshall Faulk, who was at the game working for the NFL Network.

L.T. 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.

Three plays into Oakland’s first possession, Russell fumbled as he was being sacked by outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, and inside linebacker Jyles Tucker recovered at the 12-yard line. Tomlinson carried three straight times, scoring untouched off left tackle for a 10-0 lead.

Rivers threw an 8-yard TD pass to Sproles early in the second quarter, capping a 15-play, 96-yard drive that took 8 minutes, 29 seconds. Tomlinson and Sproles carried five times each and Rivers had three carries on the drive.

San Diego got the ball back on Cooper’s first pickoff. Jackson got behind two defenders and hauled in Rivers’ scoring pass down the right sideline to make it 24-0.

Russell was hit by Philips while throwing late in the second quarter and the ball went straight to Cooper. He lateralled to Antonio Cromartie for a 14-yard gain. Russell was hurt on that play.

San Diego’s Nate Kaeding kicked field goals of 20 ad 39 yards.

After Kaeding’s second field goal, Oakland’s Justin Miller returned the kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

Rivers was 10-of-22 for 214 yards. Jackson had five catches for a career-high 148 yards.

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