PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Chargers Kept Momentum

After the first four weeks of the season, the Raiders and San Diego both were winless. The Raiders then went on to win their next three games and so did the Chargers. Then the similarity ended.

Since the seventh week of the season, San Diego has won six of its seven games, whereas the Raiders have won three. The Chargers are a victory away from gaining their first playoff berth in 10 years. The Raiders will not be in postseason play for the first time in three years.

A big reason for San Diego’s turnaround has been the play of quarterback Stan Humphries. In the Chargers’ first four games, Humphries completed 65 of 122 passes for 658 yards, with one touchdown and eight interceptions. In his last 10, he has completed 173 of 286 for 2,314 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“The difference is that they have made the plays,” Raider Coach Art Shell said. “Their offense is very basic and their defense is very basic, but they have executed and not had turnovers like us.”

The Raiders have been among the worst in the NFL in giveaways, but in Monday night’s two-turnover effort against the Miami Dolphins, they hit bottom. The Raiders’ 32 turnovers compared to only 19 take-aways tied them with the New England Patriots for last place in the league.