Michael Bush ran 3 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:39 remaining and Tyvon Branch returned a fumble 64 yards for a score as the Raiders snapped a 13 game losing streak against the Chargers.
The Raiders (2-3) used two blocked two punts, two long touchdown drives in the second half led by backup quarterback Jason Campbell and the big play at the end by Branch and Michael Huff for their first win over San Diego (2-3) since September 2003. That was the second longest active streak to Buffalo’s 14-game losing streak to New England.
With the Chargers driving for the potential go-ahead score, a blitzing Huff hit Rivers just before his arm went forward, knocking the ball loose. Branch picked up the ball and raced 64 yards for the score to make it 35-27 with 58 seconds left.
When referee Clete Blakeman upheld the call on replay, years of frustration were let out by the small, but enthusiastic, crowd of Raiders fans.
Rivers threw for 431 yards and two touchdowns and Malcolm Floyd had a career-high 213 yards receiving but the Chargers have only themselves to blame for their third straight road loss of the season, losing three fumbles deep in Raiders territory.
The Chargers have allowed four special teams touchdowns in those three losses, including a touchdown and a safety following the two blocked punts after their first two drives of the game.
Campbell, who was benched halfway through the second game of the season, replaced an injured Bruce Gradkowski late in the first quarter. Gradkowski injured his shoulder after being hit by Shaun Phillips and was in for only three plays the rest of the way.
Campbell completed 13 of 18 passes for 159 yards and a 1-yard touchdown to Zach Miller, leading drives of 93 and 73 yards in the second half to give the Raiders the lead. The biggest play on the winning drive came when Campbell found Brandon Myers for a 12-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the San Diego 24. Bush, who ran for 104 yards in place of the injured Darren McFadden, finished it from there.
Rivers’ 41-yard touchdown pass to Floyd midway through the third quarter gave the Chargers a 24-15 lead. With Vincent Jackson sitting out in a season-long contract dispute, Floyd delivered the big plays at receiver that have been lack for San Diego this year He also caught passes of 34, 36 and 55 yards.
The Raiders responded with the 97-yard drive. Campbell converted a third-and-1 sneak to get the drive going and then connected on a 58-yard pass to Louis Murphy to move the Raiders deep into Chargers territory.
Campbell did a good job extending a play on third-and-goal from the 1, finding Miller in the back of the end zone for the score that was upheld after a San Diego challenge.
The Raiders answered again after a field goal by Nate Kaeding early in the fourth quarter with their final drive.
Rivers threw for 431 yards and two touchdowns and Malcolm Floyd had a career-high 213 yards receiving but the Chargers have only themselves to blame for their third straight road loss of the season, losing three fumbles deep in Raiders territory.
The Chargers have allowed four special teams touchdowns in those three losses, including a touchdown and a safety following the two blocked punts after their first two drives of the game.
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