Raiders gift to Chargers
Justin Fargas, the converted college safety who transferred from Michigan to USC, rushed a career high 32 times for 146 yards (unofficially) and a touchdown as the Raiders knocked off the Broncos, 34-20, in an AFC West Division game.
It was the Raiders' first win over Denver since 2004 and their first win over the Broncos at home since 2002.
Denver's loss coupled with the Chargers' earlier win at Kansas City, gives San Diego a two-game lead in the division with four games to play.
One of those games for San Diego is against Denver on Christmas Eve Monday night at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers won the earlier meeting, 41-3 in Denver on Oct. 7 and hold that head-to-head tiebreaker.
AFC WEST STANDINGS
(Team) ......... (Overall) ... (Division)
San Diego ..... 7-5-0.......... 3-1-0
Denver .......... 5-7-0.......... 2-2-0
Oakland ........ 4-8-0.......... 2-3-0
Kansas City .. 4-8-0.......... 2-3-0