Although the Baltimore Ravens slammed the door on San Diego’s running game on Sunday, they left the gate wide open for the Chargers passing offense.
Chargers tight end Antonio Gates caught six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-14 rout over the Ravens at Qualcomm Stadium. Philip Rivers avoided the turnover bug, going 25 of 35 for 249 yards passing with three TDs and no interceptions.
“It was just a good day for us,” Gates said. “It’s something to build on.”
The Chargers are building something. They have won five of their last seven games and have a one-game lead in the AFC West over the Denver Broncos, who lost 37-34 in overtime at Chicago.
San Diego (6-5) was held to just 83 rushing yards, 77 from LaDainian Tomlinson. The Ravens (4-7) set a franchise record with their fifth straight loss.
Tomlinson became the 23rd player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career rushing yards.
Bay Area teams snap streaks: Two of the worst teams in the NFL experienced a little relief on Sunday.
The San Francisco 49ers snapped an eight-game losing streak and the Oakland Raiders put a halt to their six-game skid.
The game-winner came in overtime when Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner dropped back to pass from his own end zone, only to be hit by Ronald Fields. Tully Banta-Cain recovered the fumble for a touchdown and 37-31 victory.
The 49ers (3-8) overcame a 552-374 disadvantage in total yards, including 484 yards passing by Warner. But they forced four turnovers and sacked Warner four times. Trent Dilfer, stepping in for ailing Alex Smith at quarterback, threw for two scores. Frank Gore ran for 116 yards and two TDs, including a 35-yard run with 1:15 left in regulation.
“We just kept pounding the rock,” Gore said. “We just kept pounding, kept pounding. We kind of wore them out.”
Of the 17 consecutive AFC West losses the Raiders suffered before Sunday, nine came against the Kansas City Chiefs. But Oakland marched into Arrowhead Stadium and stole one on the road, 20-17.
The victory was the Raiders’ first in the division since toppling Denver 25-24 on Nov. 28, 2004.
“You don’t really think back to past games,” said Oakland running back Justin Fargas, who had 139 yards rushing and a TD on 22 carries. “You try to live in the moment. It feels so good, a divisional opponent. We haven’t beaten them in so long. It feels good for the guys in the locker room to get over that hump.”
Fargas put the Raiders (3-8) up for good on a 14-yard TD run with 9:34 left to play.
Blueprint to beat Patriots? The Philadelphia Eagles found a way to stay in the game at New England on Sunday, only to fall short 31-28. But they may have provided the Patriots future opponents with a blueprint for victory.
Philadelphia’s offensive line provided great protection for backup quarterback A.J. Feeley, who went 27 of 42 for 345 yards and three touchdowns. And the Eagles defense combined three-man and four-man fronts with a variety of blitzes to hold Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to under three TD passes (one total) for the first time all season. Brady was sacked three times.
Even Randy Moss was held to a season-low 43 yards receiving.
But the Patriots found other ways to win. Wes Welker caught 13 passes for 149 yards, and Asante Samuel had two interceptions on defense, one of which he ran back 40 yards for a touchdown.
“You got to give it up to Philadelphia, they played their hearts out and laid it out there,” Welker said.
New England’s attempt for an undefeated season might get derailed if opponents watch the Eagles video. Especially the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the league’s No. 1 defense, including the No. 1 pass defense. The Steelers play at New England on Dec. 9.
Week 12 Leaders:
“¢ Passing: Kurt Warner, Cardinals, 34-48, 484 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.
“¢ Rushing: Kolby Smith, Chiefs, 31 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs.
“¢ Receiving: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, 9 catches, 156 yards, 2 TDs.
“¢ Solo Tackles: Patrick Willis, 49ers, 17.
“¢ Sacks: Michael Boley, Falcons; Patrick Kerney, Seahawks, 3 each.
“¢ Interceptions: Dwight Smith, Vikings; Asante Samuel, Patriots, Walt Harris, 49ers, 2 each.