Wed, Sep 13, 2006 - Page 19 News List

Chargers shut out Raiders 27-0

HISTORIC WINAlthough LaDainian Tomlinson sat out the entire preseason, he showed no sign of rust as he helped San Diego to their sixth consecutive victory against Oakland

AP , OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 131 yards and a touchdown to help the Chargers beat Oakland 27-0, shutting out the Raiders for the first time since 1961.

The performances of Tomlinson and the Chargers defense took pressure off quarterback Philip Rivers in his first NFL start, a 27-0 victory over the Raiders on Monday.

With much of the focus on Rivers as he replaces Drew Brees, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer put the game in the hands of Tomlinson and his defense, spoiling Art Shell's first game back as Raiders coach.

San Diego beat the Raiders for the sixth straight time and shut them out for the first time in their last 90 regular-season games. When the Chargers won 44-0 in 1961, Al Davis was still an assistant with San Diego.

Tomlinson showed little sign of rust after sitting out the entire preseason, topping 100 yards rushing in the second quarter -- his sixth 100-yard game in 11 tries against Oakland. Tomlinson carried the ball 31 times and has 837 yards rushing in his last six meetings with Oakland.

The Chargers ran the ball on 48 of 59 plays, and Rivers threw only two passes to wide receivers all game.

Vikings 19, Redskins 16

In Landover, Maryland, Brad Johnson led a 54-yard fourth-quarter drive, capped by Ryan Longwell's 31-yard field goal with one minute remaining, to lift the Vikings.

The victory made Brad Childress a winner in his head coaching debut, and made Johnson a winner for the 66th time as a starter two days before his 38th birthday. Johnson, who completed 16 of 30 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, has won an impressive 61 percent (66 of 109) of his starts with four teams in his 15-year career.

The Redskins had a chance to tie after Longwell's kick, but John Hall -- who has struggled with leg injuries for the last two years -- was wide left with a poorly hit 48-yard field goal attempt with 12 seconds remaining.

Chester Taylor, the Vikings' free agent signing from Baltimore, rushed 31 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, upstaging Clinton Portis' surprise return for Washington. Portis, who spent the week downplaying his chances for the game because of a shoulder injury, entered the game late during the Redskins' first drive and finished with 39 yards on 10 carries.

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