Defense plays 'Lights Out' against Culpepper, Raiders

By: LOREN NELSON - Staff writer | Sunday, October 14, 2007 11:36 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- This season, the Chargers' defense has been riddled by Damon Huard, shredded by Wes Welker and roasted by Greg Jennings. In terms of NFL pedigrees, that's a threesome that's as fearsome as a tackling dummy.

As bad as they can be ---- the Chargers' defense has allowed an average of 33 points in their three losses this season ---- they can be just as good.

Maybe better than good.

In their 28-14 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Chargers' all-or-nothing defense was, to borrow a catchphrase, "Lights Out."

How good were they?

< The Raiders, who were averaging a league-best 194.3 rushing yards, were held to 53.

< Oakland's LaMont Jordan, who entered the game ranked sixth among NFL rushers with 424 yards, was held to 42 on 18 carries for a 2.3-yard average.

< The Chargers had a whopping six sacks, including 2 1/2 from Shawne Merriman, after registering just 10 in their first five games.

< Second-year cornerback Antonio Cromartie had his first career interception. Fellow cornerback Drayton Florence had one, too.

The defense also provided the most crucial play of the game ---- a Shaun Phillips sack of fumble-prone Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper with time running out in the first half.

Oakland was at the Chargers' 7-yard line when Phillips made the hit and Culpepper the bobble, giving away a potential game-tying score when Chargers lineman Jamal Williams pounced on the loose ball.

The Chargers escaped to the locker room at halftime with a 14-7 lead.

"Our defense has made critical stops, and that was as big as we had this year," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "To knock them back, and then obviously, getting the fumble, and not letting them get three points, is as big a point as there is in the game."

In their three wins this season, the Chargers' defense has allowed three, three and seven points against the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Raiders, respectively.

"I think the shutting down their running game was our biggest accomplishment," linebacker Matt Wilhelm said. "We would not have had them in as many passing situations if they would have had ... confidence in running the football.

"Taking that away from them early forced Culpepper to make plays with his arm and his head. He was frustrated out there."

Culpepper, who had a four-year run of success in Minnesota in 2000-04 but has been a bust in the two years since, completed 24-of-37 passes for 230 yards.

"They were flying around," Culpepper said about the Chargers' defense. "They had a great rush on us. They were solid, very solid, all day today."

Contact sports editor Loren Nelson at (760) 745-3332 or lnelson@nctimes.com.

The Chargers' defense in games they have won this season:

Date Team Yards allowed Turnovers forced Points allowed

Sept. 9 Chicago 202 4 3

Oct. 7 at Denver 296 3 3

Oct. 14 Oakland 246 314

The Chargers' defense in games they have lost this season:

Date Team Yards allowed Turnovers forced Points allowed

Sept. 16 at New England 407 2 38

Sept. 23 at Green Bay 405 0 31

Sept. 30 Kansas City 390 2 30