Recap: Norv Turner got
just what he wanted in his
return to Oakland: a win against
his former team, a rushing title
for his star running back, and
most importantly, the third seed
in the AFC playoffs. Philip
Rivers threw two touchdown
passes, LaDainian Tomlinson ran
for 56 yards to win his second
straight rushing title, and the
San Diego Chargers spoiled
JaMarcus Russell's first career
start with a 30-17 victory over
the Raiders on Sunday.
Russell, the No. 1 overall draft
pick, got off to a slow start by
throwing an interception on his
first play and losing a fumble
in the end zone that led to a
touchdown by Jyles Tucker midway
through the third quarter...FULL
STORY
Preview: The San
Diego Chargers have the league's
leading rusher, a defense
getting healthier and the inside
track for the AFC's No. 3 seed
in the playoffs. The Oakland
Raiders, meanwhile, are hoping
to see something from their top
overall pick that will make them
believe they can be a postseason
team in the future. Led by
reigning league MVP LaDainian
Tomlinson and with two keys to
their defense getting back in
game shape, the AFC West
champion Chargers will try to
solidify their playoff
positioning on Sunday when they
meet the Raiders, who will give
JaMarcus Russell his first start
at quarterback...Full
Story
Inside the Game Plans:
CHARGERS: Even Chargers
fans wouldn't want to see a
bewildered, rookie quarterback
thrown to the Chargers' pass
rush -- OK, maybe they wouldn't
care. But the key here is for
Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips
and Co. to get after Russell.
The kid will have a zillion
things going through his head in
his first NFL start, and trying
to figure out which players are
coming from what direction in
the 3-4 alignment won't help his
cause. The secondary, too,
should have some fun disguising
its coverages to baffle Russell
even more.
But while the Chargers
offense can stay conservative
and that will be enough for a
win, it's just the opposite on
this side of ball. The Chargers
should throw everything they
have at Russell and see if he
can adjust...FULL
STORY
RAIDERS: A terrible
matchup for the Raiders along
the lines of the Jaguars in that
the Chargers are strong in the
areas the Raiders are weak. But
with Oakland committed to
starting JaMarcus Russell at
quarterback, there is really no
other option but to hope the
running game is effective
against a team it has seldom run
well against.
Defensively, the Raiders have
been a better run defense at
home, and slowing LaDainian
Tomlinson, as well as Michael
Turner, could help keep the game
close...FULL
STORY
Gameday: Chargers vs Raiders
Chargers.com, CA
A win on Sunday
would give the Chargers their
first AFC West road sweep since
1994 when the Chargers beat the
Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs and
Seattle Seahawks ...
Chargers Ready for
Raiders Game
Silver & Black
Illustrated
By
SDBoltReport.com
Staff The Chargers
are looking for
another season-sweep
of the Raiders --
and much more. Two
teams headed in
opposite directions
meet in ...
