WR Rod Streater (80) was impressive in his professional football debut in the 2012 season opener against the San Diego Chargers in Oakland. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
The Oakland Raiders wrap up their two-game homestand as they take on the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 6. Sunday's meeting will be the first of the season between the two AFC West rivals and 106th overall since 1960. Last season, the Chargers swept the season series, winning the first game of the year in Oakland, and the last game in San Diego. In the season finale last year, QB Terrelle Pryormade his first NFL start. This will be the first divisional game of the young season for the Chargers, and second for the Raiders. Oakland is coming off of a loss at home to the Washington Redskins, while San Diego beat Dallas on their home turf.
The Raiders fell at home last Sunday at the hands of the Redskins by a score of 24-14. The versatility of RB Rashad Jenningswas on full display as he blocked a first-quarter punt that was recovered by RB Jeremy Stewartfor a TD, and then racked up 116 yards of total offense (45 rushing, 71 receiving). TE Mychal Riveraadded his first NFL TD reception, an 18-yarder. On defense, S Charles Woodsonled the way as he tied for the team lead with 11 tackles, and also added a pivotal sack on fourth down to halt a second-half Washington drive.
[
](http://www.pntrs.com/t/R0BKSkdFREBKTERGSEBISEtERw)San Diego overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the Cowboys at home, 30-21. San Diego totaled over 500 yards of offense on the afternoon QB Philip Rivers finished with a 120.3 QB rating, going 35-of-42 for 401 yards and 3 TDs. TE Antonio Gates and RB Danny Woodhead had big games, with Gates catching 10 passes for 136 yards and a TD and Woodhead hauling in five passes for 54 yards and two TDs.
Following Sunday's contest, the Raiders will play their second-consecutive division rival when they travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. The Chargers will return home next week to play the Colts on Monday Night Football.
"It's a divisional game, so we know it's going to be a tough, competitive football game. ... I think they've got good players, and again, we're going to have to play well to beat them." -- Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen
Pro Connections
• Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allenand Chargers Head Coach Mike McCoyworked on the same staff with the Broncos in 2011, as Allen was the defensive coordinator and McCoy was the offensive coordinator.
• Raiders senior offensive assistant Al Saunderswas with the San Diego Chargers from 1983-88. During his time there, Saunders was the wide receivers coach (1983-84), assistant head coach 1985-86) and Head Coach (1986-88).
• Raiders LB Kevin Burnettplayed for the Chargers from 2009-10. During his time with San Diego, Burnett registered 8.5 sacks and two interceptions, while starting every game of the 2010 season.
• Chargers special teams coordinator Kevin Spencerspent three seasons with the Raiders coaching staff (1995-97). Spencer had three different positions with the Raiders: special teams (1995), assistant linebackers (1996) and defensive assistant (1997).
• Chargers defensive line coach Don Johnsonwas the defensive tackles coach with the Raiders from 2007-08.
College Connections
• Raiders team ambassador Willie Brownwas the head coach at Long Beach State University in 1991 when Chargers Head Coach Mike McCoyplayed quarterback. McCoy threw for 938 yards on 87-of-165 attempts and seven TDs in 1991.
• Raiders WR Brice Butlerattended San Diego State after transferring from USC after his junior season. Butler had 347 yards receiving, 24 receptions and 4 TDs as a senior at San Diego State.
• Raiders LB Miles Burrisattended San Diego State from 2007-10. Burris was a two-time All-Mountain West Conference first-team selection at San Diego State and led the Aztecs in tackling as a senior, posting 78 stops, including 46 solo tackles, and 19.5 tackles for loss. Burris added eight sacks and three FRs that season.
• Chargers WR Keenan Allenattended the University of California from 2010-12. Allen left school after his junior season having caught a school-record 205 passes, for 2,570 yards (third in school history) and 17 TDs (seventh). Allen also posted a career-high 98 catches for 1,343 yards as a sophomore in 2011. Allen was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Chargers From Northern California
• There is one Charger from Northern California: WR Malcolm Floyd(Sacramento).
Raiders From the Southern California
• There are eight Raiders players/coaches from Southern California: LB Kevin Burnett (Compton), LB Kaelin Burnett(Lakewood), FB Marcel Reece(Hesperia), FB/RB Jamize Olawale(Long Beach), defensive backs coach Johnnie Lynn(Los Angeles), defensive line coach Terrell Williams(Los Angeles), T Khalif Barnes(Spring Valley) and TE Mychal Rivera(Valencia).
Longtime AFC West rivals, the Raiders and Chargers have faced each other 106 times since 1960. Heading into 2013, Oakland has played more games against San Diego than any other team. In their 106 meetings, Oakland holds a 57-47-2 advantage vs. the Chargers. In their last meeting in Oakland, the Chargers beat the Raiders in the 2012 season opener, 22-14.
Only twoplayers in football history have ever won a Heisman Trophy, Associated Press Rookie of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year and a Super Bowl in their career. Raiders S Charles Woodsonis one of them. The other? Former Raiders RB Marcus Allen.
Chargers Snapshot
Overview:Coming off a home victory against the Dallas Cowboys, the San Diego Chargers now find themself with a record of 2-2 and positioned in third place in the AFC West. The offense remains anchored by four-time Pro Bowler QB Philip Rivers, who once again finds himself in the top half of the league in passing yards. The 2013 season marks the first year for Mike McCoyas head coach of the Chargers, who spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Broncos.
Offense:Averaging 257 yards per game in the air, the Chargers are ranked No. 11 in passing offense a quarter of the way through the 2013 campaign. Veteran TE Antonio Gatesleads the team with 15 receptions and RB Ryan Mathewsheads the ground attack with 45 attempts for 164 yards.
Defense:In the second year of John Pagano's tenure as defensive coordinator, the Chargers are currently ranked 28th in opponent rushing yards and 32nd in opponent passing yards. S Eric Weddleleads the team with 19 tackles and DT Cam Thomashas the lone interception on the season.
Blocked Punt: In the first quarter of Sunday's game vs. Washington, RB Rashad Jennings blocked a punt deep in Redskins territory that was recovered in the end zone by RB Jeremy Stewartfor a TD. The blocked punt was the Raiders' first since 12/30/12 at San Diego when Coye Francies blocked a Mike Scifres punt. The last time Oakland had a blocked punt that was returned for a TD was on 10/10/10 vs. San Diego, when Brandon Myers blocked a Mike Scifres punt that Hiram Eugene returned five yards for a score.
Getting Turnovers: After not recording a turnover in the first two games, Oakland has now forced three turnovers in the past two games. All three have come by way of the fumble recovery, as LB Nick Roachstripped Redskins TE Logan Paulsen and LB Kevin Burnettjumped on the ball for the recovery last week. In Week 3, DE Lamarr Houstoncreated the first turnover with a sack-fumble on Broncos QB Peyton Manning in the third quarter, and DE Jason Hunterscooped it up. Oakland forced another turnover when Burnett stripped Denver RB Montee Ball and CB Mike Jenkinspounced on it.
