National Football League

Raiders get back to winning ways vs. Chargers

Published Dec. 6, 2010 11:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Oakland Raiders got back to doing what made them successful during a three-game winning streak and got back into the AFC West playoff race as well.

In order to stay in contention the Raiders need to prove that the two lopsided losses in the middle of this recent stretch were an aberration and that the four wins surrounding them are evidence of what kind of team they really are.

The running game got back on track with 251 yards, Jason Campbell played a mistake-free game in his return as starting quarterback and the defense held high-powered San Diego to one touchdown in a 28-13 victory over the Chargers on Sunday.

''If we just keep running the ball and doing what we do, then I think that's the Raiders,'' running back Michael Bush said Monday. ''We come out, pound you, pound you, pound you, throw the ball, then I think we'll get a lot accomplished.''

The Raiders (6-6) still trail Kansas City (8-4) by two games in the AFC West and may not be able to afford any more losses if they want to have a realistic chance to make it to the playoffs.

That task starts this week with a trip to AFC South-leading Jacksonville (7-5). Oakland then has home games against Denver (3-9) and Indianapolis (6-6), followed by a season-ending trip to the Chiefs.

''We definitely talk about it. We know at this point pretty much every game is a must-win,'' safety Michael Huff said. ''We gotta win out and kind of you know get some help, hopefully San Diego beats Kansas City this week. But, the main thing is just kind of playing our game, and winning every game. Once it gets to the end of the year, I think everything takes care of itself.''

Behind a powerful running game and a stout defensive line, the Raiders won three straight games starting in late October to move into first place in the division at this point of the season for the first time since the AFC championship season in 2002.

Oakland ran the ball 117 times for 679 yards on the way to outscoring Denver, Seattle and Kansas City 115-35 for the franchise's best stretch in years.

But the Raiders looked like a completely different team after a bye week, getting outscored 68-20 in losses to Pittsburgh and Miami. They ran the ball just 28 times for 77 yards in those two games as they struggled to get going in the running game and then abandoned it too quickly.

The Raiders spent all week talking about getting back to their identity and now that they did in the win against the Chargers they can't revert to how they played the previous two games.

''We can't now. If we do, shame on us,'' coach Tom Cable said. ''If we do, we have no chance to win the division. So we can't. We don't have a choice now. That's what it is.''

The Raiders ran the ball 52 times against the Chargers to gain their most yards ever in a game against the Chargers. Darren McFadden ran for 97 yards, Michael Bush added 95 and Campbell even got into the act with 37 yards, including a 9-yard keeper for a touchdown on an expertly executed fourth-and-1 fake that set the tone for the game.

''I've always kind of felt like if you play good in the line of scrimmage on both sides you have a great chance,'' Cable said. ''We did that yesterday. As a line coach you know what that does for your team, it takes care of your quarterback, it protects him, helps him when he does want to throw the football.''

Because of their success early running the ball, the Raiders never had to abandon the strategy and stuck with it on the ground all day long.

The players saw the toll it took on the Chargers, who were worn down by the second half as Oakland held the ball for more than 38 minutes.

''For us to be able to do that is pretty amazing,'' offensive lineman Lansgton Walker said. ''It just shows the fortitude of our offense. Both the coaches and the players.''

Notes: The Raiders came out of the game with no injuries, Cable said. ... WR Chaz Schilens was on the field for about eight plays in his first game after knee surgery in training camp. He had one ball thrown his way and did not catch a pass. ... WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has not caught a pass in his past three games.