SAN DIEGO ---- Raiders Week has always been something special, but there's no doubt the heated rivalry between the Chargers and Oakland Raiders has cooled recently.
Maybe it's because Chargers coach Norv Turner doesn't openly value this game over any other, as his predecessor, Marty Schottenheimer ---- who openly despised the Raiders ---- did. Maybe it's because of the competitive imbalance brought on by the Chargers' 12-game winning streak in the series.
No matter what the cause, the game is clearly not as enticing as it was before the Raiders consistently became one of the NFL's worst teams. The Chargers had to request a 24-hour extension from the league just to sell the necessary tickets to get the game on local TV.
But the rivalry remains in the minds of veteran players like LaDainian Tomlinson, who remembers when the series wasn't so lopsided.
"The rivalry is still there," said Tomlinson, who has relished tormenting the Raiders during his Hall of Fame career. "I don't want to ever lose to them, especially after this rivalry was built up in my early days.
"To me, it's still Raider Week. I don't know how other guys approach it, but I know we're all getting pumped up for this game. I think it still has a unique feel to it."
The rivalry seemed to gain steam after a close contest in Week 1. Not only did it go down to the wire, it was an extremely physical game that is a big reason the Chargers got off to a slow start this season.
Seven Chargers were injured in that game, including four Pro Bowlers. Nose tackle Jamal Williams (triceps) and linebacker Antwan Applewhite (hamstring) were lost for the season. Defensive lineman Travis Johnson (groin) and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman incurred nagging injuries. Tomlinson (ankle) and right guard Louis Vasquez (knee) missed two games due to injuries sustained against Oakland. Center Nick Hardwick needed surgery to repair an ankle injury sustained after officials had blown the whistle. He hasn't played since and still has weeks of rehab ahead.
The Hardwick injury angered quarterback Philip Rivers so much that he threw the football in frustration, yelled "play to the whistle!" at an Oakland defensive lineman and was fined by the NFL for his actions.
Rivers later said Hardwick's injury was clearly an accident, and the Chargers insist there isn't any lingering resentment toward the Raiders for the events of that night.
"I think it was something that happens in football and nothing else." Tomlinson said. "But I think it showed how physical they were in that first game. That's what it showed more than anything else."
Instead of payback, the Chargers are motivated by their desire to build on last week's blowout win over Kansas City and get back in the AFC West race that Denver currently leads by a large margin. The Chargers have yet to win two straight games this season.
In this game, the rival Raiders are just another opponent in the Chargers' quest to recover from yet another disappointing start.
"As long as we're ahead at the end, that's all that matters," Rivers said.
"From a progress standpoint, it would be nice to start fast, play with a lead and hold it for four quarters. A win is most important, but we'd like to see continued improvement in all three phases."
That stems from being aggressive on offense and defense, especially against a struggling team seemingly on the verge of complete collapse.
"We need to come out and be a physical group," Chargers free safety Eric Weddle said. "The more physical you can be early, the more worn out they'll be later in the game. I know we had a lot of guys get hurt that first game, but a lot has happened since then. We've gotten better, and they have too. It should be a fun one."
Contact staff writer Scott Bair at 760-739-6642. Go to sportsblogs.nctimes.com for additional Chargers news and notes.
