If you are looking for a fight at a Chargers-Raiders game, watch the fans in the stands because there hasn’t been one on the field in seven years.
San Diego has won 13 straight against Oakland entering Sunday’s AFC West game.
If the Chargers win, they will rejoin the New England Patriots as the teams with the longest winning streak against one team. The Patriots have defeated the Buffalo Bills 14 straight times.
Who were some of the players when the Raiders last defeated the Chargers in overtime 34-31 in 2003? Drew Brees was the Chargers quarterback and Rich Gannon threw a touchdown pass to Jerry Rice for the Raiders.
Last week’s 31-24 loss at home to the Houston Texans was another black mark for the Raiders - they committed four turnovers and were sacked four times.
The Chargers had nine sacks and three takeaways in their 41-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week.
The Raiders (1-3) are 30-86 since 2003 and are well on their way to increasing their NFL record of consecutive seasons with 11 or more losses to eight.
More bad news for the Raiders: Running back Darren McFadden did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a hamstring injury and is expected to miss Sunday's game.
McFadden, who is second in the NFL with 554 yards from scrimmage (Houston’s Arian Foster, 689), missed parts of his first two seasons with injuries, and has 1,248 career rushing yards since becoming the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft.
Jason Campbell was acquired during the offseason in an attempt to provide much-needed stability at the quarterback position for the Raiders, but has already lost his job to Bruce Gradkowski. Since his relief appearance led the Raiders to a 16-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 2, Gradkowski is 52 of 95 with four touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Raiders’ top receiver is tight end Zach Miller, who has 22 catches and two touchdowns. Half of those catches came last week for 122 yards and a touchdown.
The Chargers (2-2) have the NFL’s No. 1 offense and defense.
They allow 235.5 yards per game, are fourth in sacks (15) and second in interceptions (seven). Shaun Phillips had four of his six sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown last week.
On offense, San Diego averages 450.8 yards, including 318.5 yards per game passing.
Philip Rivers, who is 8-0 against the Raiders, will try for an NFL-best 18th straight game with a touchdown pass. He has 1,328 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Antonio Gates has 24 catches, including six for touchdowns, and is trying for his third straight 100-yard game.
The Chargers unleashed a balanced offense last week (239 yards passing, 180 rushing), and may try to duplicate that because the Raiders are No. 3 against the pass (143.8), but No. 31 against the run (162).