Tags : nfl
Chargers Defense Locks Up Raiders As One-Sided Rivalry Continues
San Diego, CA (AHN) – The San Diego Chargers struck quickly and the Oakland Raiders failed to catch up.
That’s because the Chargers wouldn’t allow the Raiders to make a serious run to end a 13-game losing streak to their in-state rivals.
The Chargers defense had a stellar day, limiting the Raiders’ offense to just 180 yards in total offense. They kept Oakland quarterback in control, harassing the former first round draft pick into a horrid afternoon, sacking him five times and holding the Raiders’ passing game to a meager 109 yards.
But where the Chargers’ defensive unit cam e up big was containing the Raiders potent running game, holding the Silver and Black to 99 yards on the ground. Linebacker Shawne Merriman said the Chargers had to match the Raiders physicality on the line of scrimmage in order to win the ballgame.
“I think we have got to play tougher up front,” Merriman said. “We have to not let guys fall forward. We hit guys for two-yard gains and they’ll fall forward for another two or three. That’s when we put ourselves in trouble. We have got to do a better job than that. They always play us physical. When they come out and play us that’s probably their biggest game of the year for a few reasons. , One, being it’s a conference game?.We have to give them credit. They played us tough, but I’m happy with the win.”
San Diego’s defense sent a message early in the game about what was to come. Defensive back Antonio Cromartie intercepted Russell’s second pass of the game, setting up the Chargers first score of the afternoon.
It wouldn’t get much better for Russell and the Raiders offensive unit, which produced a lot of three-and-out possessions. But even their dominance, the Raiders were still within striking distance late in the fourth quarter, with the Chargers nursing a 24-16 lead.
The Raiders were in good position to drive the length of the field and possibly tie the game if they were able to score and convert a two-point conversion. Linebacker Shaun Phillips and the rest of the Chargers defense had other ideas, roughing up Russell on that last drive, including delivering a big-time sack.
“We went against the Raiders today and we struggled a bit, but it was a good game,” said Phillips. “They are always going to come in here and play us tough. There have been some tough battles the past 13 games. Fortunately, today, we were able to get the win.”
Cromartie’s pick of Russell’s pass early in the game set the tone for which the Chargers defense would play the rest of the way.
“I saw the ball was thrown with a lot of air under it and the receiver had tried to undercut me. I went for the ball and came down with it.”
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