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In the 2012 regular season opener, the Raiders will host the Chargers in the second game of an ESPN Monday Night Football double-header. The Raiders lead the all-time regular season series with their AFC West rival 57-45-2. Last season, the teams split the match-ups, both winning on the road. Prior to 2010, San Diego had won 13 games in a row. During the 2010 season, the Raiders finally broke that streak, beating the Chargers 35-27 at home and then 28-13 at Qualcomm Stadium. The two teams will conclude the 2012 regular season in San Diego December 30.

Coach and record: San Diego is coached by Norv Turner, who joined the Chargers as head coach in 2007. Prior to his current position, Turner was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins (2002-03), the Raiders head coach (2004-05) and the 49ers offensive coordinator (2006). As the Chargers head coach, Turner has led the team to three division titles, an overall regular-season record of 49-31 and a 3-3 playoff record. Last season, the Chargers finished 8-8.

Last six match ups:

The Raiders hosted the Chargers in the 2011 regular season finale January 1, 2012. In a game that would determine the AFC Western Division crown, the Raiders lost 38-26. Despite the loss, QB Carson Palmer threw for 417 yards and two TDs, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey caught nine passes for 130 yards and a TD, WR Denarius Moore caught three passes for 101 yards and WR Louis Murphy caught five passes for 72 yards. K Sebastian Janikowski also kicked four field goals with a long of 52 yards.

In their first meeting of 2011, the Raiders traveled to Qualcomm Stadium to face the Chargers on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football. Under the bright lights, the Raiders put up 489 yards of offense and beat the Chargers 24-17. QB Carson Palmer threw for 299 yards and two TDs and WR Denarius Moore had a handful of spectacular catches, totaling 123 yards and two TDs.

On December 5, 2010, the Raiders beat the Chargers 28-13 in San Diego. RB Darren McFadden totaled 19 rushes for 97 yards and a TD, FB Marcel Reece caught three passes for 42 yards and WR Jacoby Ford added a touchdown grab.

In their first matchup of 2010, the Raiders ended their 13-game losing streak to the Chargers with a 35-27 win at home. FS Michael Huff recorded a team-high 11 tackles (nine solo) and a sack, DE Matt Shaughnessy added six tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss, and DT Richard Seymour, DT Tommy Kelly and S Mike Mitchell each added four tackles. SS Tyvon Branch’s fumble return for a touchdown was the difference.

The Raiders lost both meetings with the Chargers in 2009. In Week 1, they out gained San Diego 366-317, RB Darren McFadden rushed 68 yards, and WR Louis Murphy had four catches for 87 yards, but lost 24-20. During their second meeting, the Chargers beat the Raiders 24-16 at Qualcomm.

Story Lines

The Raiders will face former offensive tackle Mario Henderson. Henderson played for the Raiders for four seasons (2007-2010), playing in 44 games, starting 28.

The Raiders four Penn State alums, OL Stefen Wisniewski, DE Jack Crawford, LB Nathan Stupar, and S Chaz Powell will play against former teammate G Johnnie Troutman.

LB Rolando McClain will face his cousin, FB Le’Ron McClain.

Rookie LB Miles Burris will face off against former San Diego State teammates OL Brandyn Dombrowski and WR Vincent Brown.

FB Marcel Reece’s will try to avoid University of Washington teammate LB Donald Butler.

WR Jacoby Ford will face former Clemson teammate CB/KR Marcus Gilchrist.

WR Juron Criner will see three former Arizona Wildcats – C Colin Baxter, CB Antoine Cason, and LB Ricky Elmore.

Cris Dishman, who was part of the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship Program with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, is on the Chargers coaching staff. Chargers tight ends coach Jason Michael was an offensive quality control coach and video assistant on Norv Turner’s coaching staff in Oakland.

Chargers Key Acquisitions:

RB Le’Ron McClain (Chiefs-2011, Ravens 2007-2010), LB Jarrett Johnson (Ravens), WR Eddie Royal (Broncos), QB Charlie Whitehurst (Seahawks), S Atari Bigby (Seahawks-2011, Packers 2006-2011), TE Dante Rosario (Dolphins-Broncos 2011, Panthers 2007-2010), WR Roscoe Parrish (Bills), WR Micheal Spurlock (Bucs 2007,2010-11, 49ers 2009, Cardinals 2006), OT Mario Henderson (Raiders), S Corey Lynch (Bucs 2009-11, Bengals 2008), RB Ronnie Brown (Dolphins)

Raiders vs Chargers, Monday, September 10, O.co Coliseum, ESPN
Raiders at Chargers, Sunday, December 30, Qualcomm Stadium, CBS
Ticket Info | Game Rewind

We continue the series with a look at the Raiders second regular season opponent, the Miami Dolphins, Friday, June 29, and Monday, July 2, with the Pittsburgh Steelers.