The biggest point spread of the week came in San Diego, where the Chargers spotted the Raiders 16.5 points in the rematch of a better-than-expected Week One Monday nightcap.
The line made sense. The Chargers had just beaten the Chiefs on the road by 30, and the Raiders had lost to the Jets at home by 38.
So, obviously, it ended up being a close game. As Gregg Rosenthal pointed out Sunday, the Raiders actually had a shot at forcing overtime, before playing like, well, the Raiders.
Despite the loss, quarterback JaMarcus Russell thinks he played pretty well. And, in comparison to most weeks, he did. Russell threw only one interception, and his one fumble wasn't recovered by the Chargers.
Still, the Raiders aren't winning. And Russell needs to show a lot more than what he showed yesterday in order to justify the five-year-plan confidence that the Raiders have in him.
For the Chargers, a second straight win paired up with a Denver loss makes things a little more interesting in the AFC West. The next three games -- at Giants, vs. Eagles, at Broncos -- will go a long way toward determining whether the Chargers can come a long way back and take the division crown.
Again.
Week Eight Morning Aftermath: Chargers 24, Raiders 16
Posted by Mike Florio on November 2, 2009 1:41 PM ET
Permalink
5 Comments 
Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Top Stories
Really, after the display our receivers put on yesterday, I'm gonna cut Russell some slack.
Tripping over each other, seriously?
You need to dig deeper, Florio. There are still issues on the Chargers. The Offensive line STILL can't open up a hole for Tomlinson. Every freakin run he has to go up against a defender before he reaches the line of scrimmage. If Norv "Stubbornman" Turner can't coach the line to run-block like a decent team, AJ Smith better hire someone who can. Its fine to throw 7 times in a row. If Rivers can burn Asomugha twice a year, he can handle any corner... but I can't keep blaming LT for the lack of a running game when the guy gets hit before he's able to secure the hand-off. Why the hell can't this o-line block? And then there's Norv calling a run when Jokeland has 9 guys in the box. Can you say: Playaction??? Turner's playcalling is too often predictable, and he thinks too far ahead of himself.
DarthPirate- i gotta agree man, i think Russell has a lot of work to do (and i mean A LOT!) but i saw that sack thought omg he didnt get rid of it, but then i saw the recievers on the ground as was like well that explains it! As fans we all have 1000 ways we think we can fix this team, but we are fans for a reason. Just gotta keep the faith Raider Nation Baby!
The Broncos lose one freakin game and the divison is up for grabs? The Broncos are the most complete Broncos since '98. The Broncos will spank the Chargers like a 5 year old in Kmart(again).
Propping up LT in the red zone so he can get a couple more against the Raiders before he's gone is one thing, but beating a decent team is something else. 18 carries, 56 yards. Not as embarrassing as Merriman's ridiculous celebrations, but still, not good. They can hover around .500 and hope Denver implodes, but they don't look like they're ready to take control of the division.