National Football League

Raiders Game review

Published Oct. 11, 2010 10:08 a.m. ET

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Offense

RATING: ALERT VIEWERMichael Bush replaced injured Darren McFadden and ran hard 26 times against a tough Chargers defense for 104 yards. Jason Campbell replaced injured Bruce Gradkowski late in the first quarter and, after a slow start, led two long touchdown drives in the second half. The offensive line was fine in the running game, and wasn't that bad in the passing game, allowing the Chargers three sacks. Fourteen first downs and 279 yards of offense isn't great, but it was good enough for a win.

Defense

RATING: ALERT VIEWERGive the Raiders this, when they focus on something, they do better. After giving up 249 yards rushing to Houston, Oakland allowed San Diego only 91. Of course, they couldn't do that and stop the passing attack. Philip Rivers had 431 yards and receiver Malcom Floyd tortured cornerbacks Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson for eight catches and 213 yards. Oakland made stops in the fourth quarter when it had to, blitzing on almost every play down the stretch. Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff were extremely effective on safety blitzes, with Huff causing the game-clinching fumble.

RATING: WILD APPLAUSEThe little man actually should be passed out delirious on this one. Two blocked punts, one for a safety and one for a touchdown, all in the first five minutes. Punt returner Nick Miller broke off a 46-yarder in his NFL debut. And the coverage unit kept dangerous Chargers return man Darren Sproles in check all day.

RATING: POLITE APPLAUSETom Cable has been preaching good things all year, and now that the Raiders have broken a 13-game losing streak to the Chargers, maybe fans and reporters might believe him. Oakland could have folded once San Diego went on a 24-3 run and took a 24-15 lead midway through the third quarter, but it didn't. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson got Jason Campbell settled down after he replaced Gradkowski a second time, and Cable turned the defensive dogs loose with blitzes at just the right time at the end.

RATING: WILD APPLAUSENo one thought the Raiders could win this game except for the guys in the locker room. Now they're 2-3 and in the thick of the AFC West race.

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