Russell’s first interception of the season on a deflected screen pass to Darren McFadden set up San Diego’s first touchdown of the game when Rivers hit Antonio Gates from 9 yards to make it 15-10 on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Just over a minute later, Marques Harris beat Kwame Harris, stripped the ball from Russell and recovered at the 13. Tomlinson ran it in on the next play and a 2-point conversion made it 18-15.

The Raiders could have had an even bigger halftime lead. But they settled for a field goal on the opening drive after moving the ball inside the 5 and had another touchdown called back on a holding penalty against Cornell Green. They settled for a field goal on that drive as well.

“As an offense, when you get those opportunities you can’t settle for 3, especially against a team as talented as the Chargers,” said tight end Zach Miller, who scored Oakland’s only touchdown on a 63-yard reception in the second quarter. “They’re a good team so that hurt us taking those 3 points.”

Russell finished 22-for-37 for 277 yards.

Notes: Janikowski attempted a 76-yard field goal at the end of the first half but was unable to reach the goal line with his kick. The NFL record for longest field goal is 63 yards. ... Raiders DT Terdell Sands had two sacks matching his career total from his first 63 games. ... The Chargers had six sacks. ... The Raiders wore white uniforms at home for a change because of the heat. The Raiders’ final comeback attempt was thwarted when Luis Castillo pressured Russell into an incompletion on fourth-and-5 from the Oakland 44 with 1:14 to go. Tomlinson finished it off from there, giving the Chargers two straight wins following two crushing losses to open the season.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Singletary wants to beat Bears, not reminisce PFT’s Picks: Bears will claw past 49ers Davis' comments puts 49ers on defensive PFT: Bears’ Harris won’t be suspended for punch Pats-Colts is greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s PFT: Brady recalls when he met Peyton   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Harrison on how Pats can beat Colts   Video: Dungy on how Colts can beat Patriots PFT: Lewis tells Ochocinco to hold the mustard NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: