Staying Alive: Oakland Raiders Upset San Diego Chargers to Stay In AFC West Race

The Oakland Raiders have started a streak of their own against the Chargers. After losing 13 straight games to San Diego the Raiders have now won two in a row, and have won more than five games for the first time since 2002.

The Raiders are now two games back of the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West title. The Chiefs visit the Chargers next week, while the Raiders visit the Jaguars.

Let's take a look at five performances that helped the Raiders beat the Chargers 28-13.

Jason Campbell

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Jason Campbell #8 the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Jason Campbell is now officially the starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Bruce Gradkowski was placed on the IR after a shoulder injury last week.

This is a good thing for the Raiders because they need to know who their guy is on offense.  Campbell managed the game very well for the Raiders.

He executed great play fakes, ran the ball well and did enough through the air to help lead the Raiders to the win.

He was 10-of-16 for 117 yards and a touchdown. His quarterback rating was over 100 for the fourth time this season.

He passed for a touchdown as well as ran for one. Overall his performance was key to the Raiders victory.

Darren McFadden

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Before the game I mentioned that the Raiders needed to get Darren McFadden over 100 yards. They came close, as he rushed for 97 yards on 19 carries.

He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored a touchdown.

He also caught three passes for 30 yards. It was nice to see McFadden back as a big part of the offense.

Michael Bush

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: (L-R) Michael Bush #29, Langston Walker #70 and Marcel Reece #45 of the Oakland Raiders celebrate Bush's touchdown in the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, Califor

Time of possession was another key for the Raiders victory. That meant the Raiders run game was very dominant.

Michael Bush carried the ball more times than Darren McFadden. He rushed the ball 23 times for 95 yards and a touchdown of his own.

He helped control the time of possession for the Raiders. He powered through the Chargers defense and helped convert crucial short down conversions.

Raiders Offensive Line

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 16: The Raiders offensive line and the Broncos defensive line square off as the Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 23-20 in overtime during week two NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 16, 2007 in Denver, Col

The Raiders offensive line played very well today. They physically dominated the Chargers defensive line. The Chargers allowed over 200 yards rushing to the Raiders. This is a defense that was ranked first in the league.

The majority of the credit is due to the offensive line. For the Raiders to succeed the offensive line must play well. The Raiders have plenty of speed, talent and power in all skill positions, they just haven't had the best protection.

If the Raiders offensive line can play like they did today, the Raiders will have a great opportunity to take the AFC West crown.

Raiders Defense

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders warms up before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Raiders have a championship caliber defense when they stay fresh and get help from their offense.

They held the Chargers red hot offense to only 13 points and 286 yards. This was a total team effort.

The Black Hole, which is what I call the Raiders defensive line, manhandled the Chargers offensive line.

The Raiders were all over Phillip Rivers all game. They sacked him four times and hit him a total of seven times.

Rivers was only 23-of-39 with one touchdown pass and an interception. His quarterback rating was under 80 for only the second time this season.

Mike Tolbert who has had nine touchdowns in the last 10 games and has run for over 100 yards in the last two was held to 16 yards on seven carries.

The Raiders played a solid overall game as they defeated the Chargers 28-13. Up next for the Raiders is Jacksonville. Another must win game for Oakland.

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