First, Dickerson, but Then There’s Little Raider Help

For nearly two quarters, the Raiders’ Eric Dickerson had the NFL’s No.1 defense against the rush worried.

No matter what they tried, San Diego could not stop the Raider running attack.

Whether it was Dickerson right or Dickerson left, the Chargers found themselves in a position they hadn’t seen in 23 games: allowing a back to rush for 100 yards.

“We did not know what was going on,” said Charger cornerback Gill Byrd. “They had a good scheme working with their running game and we couldn’t stop it.”

San Diego’s defense struggled as Dickerson carried the ball 16 of the Raiders’ first 26 plays for 100 yards.

“They were driving down the field, and we were thinking that it would be a long day for us,” said Chris Mims, San Diego’s rookie defensive end and former Dorsey High standout. “But then, things turned our way.”

What changed the game for San Diego is what has been a Raider problem all season: turnovers.

The Raiders have the worst takeaway/giveaway ratio in the AFC, and they did not change their ways against the Chargers.

After a 36-yard field-goal attempt by Jeff Jaeger was blocked by linebacker Kevin Murphy to end their first drive, the Raiders went back to a familiar way of going without a score.

Their second drive ended when Jay Schroeder’s pass to Willie Gault was broken up by Sean Vanhorse and intercepted by Stanley Richard. Seven plays later, San Diego led 7-0.

“Takeaways were the key for us,” Mims said. “That gave us confidence when we needed it.”

After a field goal by Jaeger and a touchdown run by San Diego’s Marion Butts, the Raiders trailed, 14-3, midway in the second quarter.

Then, the Raiders got charitable again.

With time running out in the first half, Tim Brown caught a pass at the Chargers’ 24-yard line, but as he turned upfield he fumbled. Four plays later, San Diego led, 21-3.

“They were successful in running the ball, but the main thing is that they didn’t score any points,” Byrd said. “And, that’s what counts.”

So, after amassing 250 yards in total offense in two quarters, the Raiders found themselves down by 18 points.

“We got inside our 20 to inside their 20,” Schroeder said. “But, the best we could do was set up for a field goal.”

The Raiders had to play catch-up, which meant passing.

Dickerson carried once for three yards after halftime, and the Chargers held the Raiders to 74 yards in the second half.

“It was a very physical game on both sides of the ball,” Raider offensive tackle Max Montoya said. “(San Diego) is playing very good. Their defense is young and very good.”

The Chargers had the ball for 36 plays to the Raiders’ 14 in the second half. In the third quarter, the Raiders had only four offensive plays.

“Dickerson was doing a great job running, but we adjusted a few things ever so slightly in the second half and that helped us a little bit,” San Diego Coach Bobby Ross said. “Of course, we had the ball and the lead, and that had an awful lot to do with it.”

San Diego was able to concentrate on its pass defense after the Raiders opened the third quarter with two penalties on their first possession.

“The game was real physical and the Raiders like to play intimidating football,” said Delton Hall, San Diego safety. “Of course, it got frustrating (for the Raiders) once you get behind.”

Before the Raiders knew it, they were behind, 24-3, in the fourth quarter, and had had only 10 plays in the second half.

“Big plays won it for us,” said San Diego linebacker Junior Seau. “Usually, it is the other way around, but tonight we came up with the plays when we needed them.”