Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Raiders, who are the last NFL team
forced to play home games on a baseball team's infield dirt, had their fair
share of groundballs on Monday.
Nate Kaeding made five field goals, three coming off Oakland special teams
miscues, and the San Diego Chargers downed the Raiders, 22-6, in the season
opener for both teams.
Philip Rivers completed 24-of-33 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown, while
Malcom Floyd hauled in four balls for 66 yards a score for San Diego (1-0),
which is coming off an 8-8 season.
Raiders standout long snapper Jon Condo left the game in the first half with a
head injury. Reserve linebacker Travis Goethel took over the long snapping
duties and hurled two into the dirt and was too slow on another, which led to
a San Diego punt block. It was the first time that Raiders punter Shane
Lechler was blocked in six years.
Carson Palmer threw for 297 yards with a touchdown on 32-of-46 efficiency and
Darren McFadden carried the ball 15 times for 32 yards and added 86 yards on
13 receptions for the Raiders (0-1), who also went 8-8 a year ago.
The Sports Network