Chargers 24, Raiders 21
SAN DIEGO -- In a season-ending matchup of two teams going nowhere, the San Diego Chargers scored a 24-21 victory over the rival Oakland Raiders before 66,486 at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.
Two touchdown passes by quarterback Philip Rivers helped the Chargers (7-9) sweep their AFC West rival and earn their third win in a row over Oakland (4-12).
Still, the victory wasn't expected to save the job of Chargers head coach Norv Turner, who is expected to be relieved of his duties soon, possibly as early as Monday, according to several published reports. San Diego general manager A.J. Smith also could be dismissed.
The duo's expected demise didn't affect the team Sunday, as the Chargers started with a bang. Micheal Spurlock, who returned a punt for a touchdown in the previous week's win over the Jets, opened the Oakland game with a 99-yard kickoff return for a 7-0 Chargers lead.
San Diego increased the margin to 10-0 on a 30-yard field goal by Nick Novak with 4:11 left in the first quarter.
The Raiders cut the gap to 10-7 when quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who got the start for the injured Carson Palmer, tossed his first touchdown pass as a pro, a 9-yard reception to wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey with 12:11 remaining in the second quarter.
The Chargers answered with a 14-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 9:23. It concluded with an 11-yard scoring pass from Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates with 2:48 left in the half for a 17-7 advantage.
In the third quarter, Rivers connected with wide receiver Danario Alexander on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 4:59 left for a 24-7 lead.
Pryor's 3-yard run with 7:43 remaining in the game pulled Oakland to within 24-14.
After Oakland's Coye Francies blocked a Mike Scifres punt and Kaelin Burnett recovered it at the San Diego 11, Pryor hit wide receiver Denarius Moore with 1:52 left, slicing the Chargers' advantage to 24-21.
However, San Diego recovered the onside kick and then ran out the clock.
Rivers finished 13-for-17 for 151 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Pryor completed 13 of 28 passes for 150 yards with two TD tosses and no interceptions.
NOTES: Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes and Raiders reserve running back Mike Goodson were ejected after a second-quarter altercation. ...The Raiders lead the all-time series between the clubs 58-47-2. The Chargers have won the past three and 16 of the past 19. ... Rivers became the first Chargers quarterback to record five consecutive seasons with 3,500 or more passing yards. He wound up with 3,606 this year. ... The Chargers scored seven defensive touchdowns this season, second in the NFL behind the Chicago Bears. ... Four of the 11 wins between the two clubs this season came at the expense of the Kansas City Chiefs.
