Scorching Chargers Meet Slumping Raiders In AFC West Tilt
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- While the San Diego Chargers look to continue their climb up the AFC West standings, the Oakland Raiders hope to avoid falling further off the pace in the division race.
The Chargers look to extend their December winning streak to 19 games Sunday by continuing their home dominance of the Raiders, who try to avoid a third straight loss overall.
Two weeks ago, Oakland (5-6) was riding a three-game winning streak and tied with Kansas City atop the West. San Diego, meanwhile, was coming off its bye week one game under .500 but looking for a third straight victory.
The Chargers (6-5) have continued to play well, averaging 33.3 points during a winning stretch that reached four games after a 36-14 win at Indianapolis last Sunday. San Diego is one game behind the first-place Chiefs - its opponent at home next weekend.
"We've got a group of resilient guys, that really play together and really believe in one another," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "We're right here in the hunt."
The Raiders have not been as fortunate, outscored 68-20 while losing two in a row after averaging 38.3 points during the three-game winning streak.
"It seems like everything is going wrong right now," safety Tyvon Branch said after a 33-17 loss to Miami last Sunday. "We haven't been clicking."
Oakland could have a tough time getting things to click in San Diego, where it has been outscored 204-89 during a seven-game skid.
"This is a big week for us," said quarterback Jason Campbell, who will start in place of the injured Bruce Gradkowski. "We're a team trying to get things going back in the right direction."
Though the Raiders avoided a 14th straight loss to San Diego with a 35-27 win in Week 5, the Chargers appear poised to finish strong for the fifth straight season. San Diego won its final 11 games last season, its last four in 2008, six in 2007 and 10 in 2006.
The Chargers' 18-game December winning streak is the longest for the month in NFL history.
"We have a schedule that keeps in mind these guys' bodies and how physical this game is and we try to adhere to that," coach Norv Turner told the Chargers' official website.
"We've certainly played at a much higher level particularly the last two weeks."
San Diego outscored Denver and the Colts 71-28 the last two weeks. The Chargers forced five turnovers against Indianapolis, leading to 20 points with a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Rivers has thrown for 1,018 yards and 10 of his 23 touchdowns the last four games. The 431 yards he threw for at Oakland in October where the third-most in his career.
He also could have rookie running back Ryan Mathews back after he missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Burly backup Mike Tolbert has rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 51 carries the last two games in Mathews' place but was held to 11 yards on 12 carries with a TD at Oakland.
The Chargers won't have receiver Vincent Jackson available because of the strained right calf he suffered last week after two plays in his first game back following a contract dispute and a suspension.
Amid concerns that Jackson might be faking the injury, the Chargers said he was hurt in practice leading up to the contest.
"I know there was a period of time Vincent was sore, which is normal from a standpoint of going back and practicing with the offense and going full speed," Turner said. "(Now) there's considerable swelling in his calf."
Oakland blocked two first-quarter punts that resulted in nine points and returned a fumble for a touchdown Oct. 10 against the Chargers but has not been nearly as opportunistic of late.
The Raiders have committed six turnovers and allowed 348 rushing yards the last two weeks. After rushing for 679 yards in their previous three games, Oakland has run for 77 the last two.
Darren McFadden averaged 121.7 rushing yards during the three-game winning streak but has totaled 16 yards on the ground during the last two losses. He has gained 88 yards on 25 carries in three games against the Chargers but missed the last meeting with a hamstring injury.
Campbell, who will make his eighth start of the season after Gradkowski suffered another shoulder separation against Miami and was placed on injured reserve Thursday, has completed 54.7 percent of his passes for 1,322 yards with seven TDs and six interceptions.
He was 13 of 18 for 159 yards with a touchdown versus San Diego earlier this season.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
