SAN DIEGO (AP) - Denarius Moore caught a 33-yard pass from Carson Palmer with 1:51 remaining in the second quarter to extend the Oakland Raiders’ lead to 17-3 over the San Diego Chargers at halftime Thursday night.
Palmer engineered a two-play, 31-second drive, capped by Moore’s catch near the goal line after outrunning two defenders as the Raiders tried to end a two-game losing skid.
Palmer was 8 for 10 with 169 yards in the first half, when the Raiders racked up 293 yards of total offense to 65 for San Diego, which has lost three in a row.
The bumbling Chargers managed just three first downs in the half. Philips Rivers was 4 for 11 with 44 yards and got sacked three times. They had four consecutive three-and-out drives before Rivers was sacked on San Diego’s final possession of the half.
Michael Bush scored Oakland’s first TD on a 2-yard plunge in the first quarter, giving them a 7-3 lead. He had 17 carries for 86 yards in the half. Moore had three catches for 86 yards.
The Raiders got off to a slow start behind Palmer, with their first two possessions ending in a punt and a turnover on downs in his second start and third appearance since joining the team.
Nick Novak kicked a 20-yard field goal for the Chargers.
Oakland wide receiver Jacoby Ford sustained a foot injury on the Raiders’ first TD drive. He was helped off the field and was questionable to return.
Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill, who already had a neck injury, sustained a stinger on San Diego’s second possession. He was carted off and was doubtful to return.
Both teams were playing on short rest, each having lost Sunday.
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