Recap: Chargers 38, Raiders 26
SportsDirect Inc. staff
Jan 1, 2012
Philip Rivers threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns while Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd each had over 100 yards receiving and a score as the San Diego Chargers ruined the Oakland Raiders' playoff hopes with a 38-26 road victory on Sunday.
Mike Tolbert ran for a TD and Richard Goodman scored on a 105-yard kickoff return for San Diego, which halted a three-game losing streak against Oakland.
Carson Palmer completed 26 of 41 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns with one interception for the Raiders, who got the help they needed in order to win the AFC West when Kansas City defeated Denver. But they were unable to stop San Diego's offense and missed their chance at their first postseason berth since 2002.
Oakland (8-8) got off to a good start as Palmer connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 3-yard scoring strike midway through the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. Heyward-Bey made nine catches for 130 yards.
Rivers threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Gates, who had 106 yards on five receptions, with a minute left in the quarter and Tolbert scored on a 1-yard run 4 1/2 minutes into the second to put San Diego ahead for good.
After Sebastian Janikowski kicked the first of his four field goals to draw Oakland within 14-10, Goodman ran back the ensuing kickoff to give the Chargers (8-8) an 11-point lead.
Rivers and Vincent Jackson hooked up for a 13-yard score in the third to make it 31-16. Following a 22-yard TD pass from Palmer to Kevin Boss that got Oakland within five, Floyd made a 43-yard touchdown reception to thwart the Raiders' comeback hopes.
Jan 1, 2012
Philip Rivers threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns while Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd each had over 100 yards receiving and a score as the San Diego Chargers ruined the Oakland Raiders' playoff hopes with a 38-26 road victory on Sunday.
Mike Tolbert ran for a TD and Richard Goodman scored on a 105-yard kickoff return for San Diego, which halted a three-game losing streak against Oakland.
Carson Palmer completed 26 of 41 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns with one interception for the Raiders, who got the help they needed in order to win the AFC West when Kansas City defeated Denver. But they were unable to stop San Diego's offense and missed their chance at their first postseason berth since 2002.
Oakland (8-8) got off to a good start as Palmer connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 3-yard scoring strike midway through the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. Heyward-Bey made nine catches for 130 yards.
Rivers threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Gates, who had 106 yards on five receptions, with a minute left in the quarter and Tolbert scored on a 1-yard run 4 1/2 minutes into the second to put San Diego ahead for good.
After Sebastian Janikowski kicked the first of his four field goals to draw Oakland within 14-10, Goodman ran back the ensuing kickoff to give the Chargers (8-8) an 11-point lead.
Rivers and Vincent Jackson hooked up for a 13-yard score in the third to make it 31-16. Following a 22-yard TD pass from Palmer to Kevin Boss that got Oakland within five, Floyd made a 43-yard touchdown reception to thwart the Raiders' comeback hopes.
