Oakland Raiders Vs. San Diego Chargers: An Extreme Power Outage In Week 13

After two dismal losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins, the Oakland Raiders unleashed an overwhelming fury on the San Diego Chargers.

This was no ordinary fury—this was a purpose statement to show the rest of the NFL that the Raiders were still in the thick of things in the unpredictable AFC West.

Oakland came into San Diego carrying a two-game losing streak in which they were outscored 68-20; San Diego came in as one of the hottest teams in the league looking to capitalize off of a 36-14 stomping of the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday night, a game in which the Chargers picked off Peyton Manning four times.

As the game began, the intensity of an old AFL rivalry was in effect. The Chargers were trying to salvage the season series against their long time rivals. Oakland beat San Diego 35-27 in Week 5, giving the Raiders their first victory over the Chargers since 2003. The Chargers were riding a four game winning streak overall and an 18 game winning streak in the month of December.

However, as the game played out, it was clear the Raiders were in no mood to see either of these streaks continue.

The Chargers horrendous special teams play hurt them yet again, as Darren Sproles muffed a Shane Lechler punt four minutes into the game, setting up a nine yard touchdown run by Jason Campbell to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

The Raiders carried their momentum to the defensive side of the ball too, as Michael Huff intercepted Philip Rivers near midfield; the turnover created seven more points for the Raiders, as Jason Campbell connected with rookie Jacoby Ford in the corner of the end zone to put Oakland on top 14-0.

One of the reasons Oakland had struggled in their previous two games was their inability to establish the run. Darren McFadden and Michael Bush had been invisible against the Steelers and Dolphins, and they both took their frustration out on the Chargers defense who came in allowing less than 100 yards per game.

The Raiders slashed the Chargers for 251 yards on the ground with McFadden and Bush each recording a touchdown. The Chargers had no answer for the Raiders rushing defense either. Oakland held San Diego to a measly 21 yards rushing, and they were able to keep Mike Tolbert out of the picture.

Jason Campbell rushed for 37 yards by himself for the Raiders.

MVP candidate Philip Rivers had a hard time establishing any rhythm against the ninth-ranked Oakland pass defense. Rivers managed a decent 285 yards through the air with a touchdown and an interception.

The Raiders knew they had to contain Rivers in order to win the game. During their previous meeting, Rivers torched the Raiders secondary for 431 yards and two touchdowns.

After trailing 21-3 at the half, the Chargers knew they had to get the passing game going if they wanted to win the game. After a 33 yard field goal by Nate Kaeding and a four yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates, the Chargers cut the Raiders lead to eight with ten minutes left in the game.

Jason Campbell had another mediocre performance going 10 for 16 for 117 yards with a touchdown through the air, and another on the ground, but his game-time management was crucial.

He executed the play action immaculately, running one in to the end zone on a nine yard scamper in the first quarter, and hooking up with Louis Murphy for 37 yards on third and one to get the Raiders to the San Diego nine yard line late in the fourth quarter. Darren McFadden's seven yard touchdown run with less than five minutes left in the game capped a drive that took nearly six minutes. 

Oakland left San Diego with a 28-13 victory, and some much needed poise going into the final month of the regular season.

The Chargers ended the game with no first downs on the ground, and Philip Rivers was sacked four times by the surging Raiders defense.

Both teams remain two games back of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, but the Raiders own the tie-breaker having swept the Chargers for the first time since 2001.