It was over when ...
Darren Sproles took a handoff five yards up the middle for a touchdown, completing an 89-yard drive that gave the Chargers a 24-20 lead with 18 seconds remaining. A subsequent desperation pass from JaMarcus Russell was intercepted and the Chargers took a knee.
Game ball
When the game was on the line, it was Sproles -- not LaDainian Tomlinson -- with the ball in his hands. In addition to scoring the winning touchdown, Sproles caught two passes for 24 yards and added another 5-yard carry on the final drive. He finished the game with 246 total yards, including 180 on kickoff and punt returns.
Key stat
The Raiders outdid the Chargers in practically every category that mattered, including holding San Diego to just 77 rushing yards. But with the game on the line and trying to protect a three-point lead, Oakland's defense couldn't slow down Philip Rivers, who completed 6 of 7 passes on the deciding drive.
Noteworthy
The Chargers have now defeated the Raiders twelve consecutive times. ... This is the seventh straight season that the Raiders have lost in Week 1. ... Tomlinson fumbled for the first time since Week 7 of 2006. ... The Chargers lost two starting offensive linemen to injuries in the third quarter. Guard Louis Vasquez was taken to the locker room with an injured knee. He was followed by center Nick Hardwick, who was carted off the field in the third quarter with a left leg injury. ... Raiders DE Richard Seymour, acquired in a trade with the Patriots just days before the regular season, started the game and had six tackles to go with two sacks.
