The Chargers make their way to Oakland to battle the Raiders (off last week), playing their third consecutive home game, as these original AFL rivals collide once again.

Including playoffs, the Raiders own a 48-29-2 advantage in this series and have prevailed in the last three meetings, although these clubs have split their last 16 encounters dating back to 1991.

Last year, Oakland swept this rivalry for the first time since 1990. In Week 6 at Oakland, Raiders QB Wade Wilson came off the bench and threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to WR James Jett with 1:28 remaining as Jon Gruden's team stunned the Chargers, 7-6, in a contest that featured more than twice as many punts (27) than points (13).

Two months later at Qualcomm Stadium (Week 16), Wilson threw for 167 yards and a pair of second-quarter scores (2 INTs) and the Oakland defense limited the Bolts to just 79 yards rushing as the Silver and Black held on for a 17-10 win.

Despite last year's loss, the Chargers are 6-2 in their last eight road tilts vs. the Raiders dating back to 1991 (4-0 at Los Angeles from 1991-94, 2-2 at Oakland from 1995-98) as the visiting team is 13-5 in the last 18 installments of this rivalry dating back to 1990.

Numbers: In their last 24 games dating back to '98 (9-15), four Chargers quarterbacks (Ryan Leaf, Erik Kramer and Jim Harbaugh, as well as since-departed Craig Whelihan) have combined to throw just 16 touchdown passes, while totaling 52 interceptions and 24 fumbles. The Chargers have committed two or more turnovers in six straight games, and four or more turnovers in four straight games. They have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in eight straight games. The Chargers have allowed three or more sacks in three straight games. They have allowed 31 or more points in three straight games, and have been limited to 17 or fewer points in three straight games and 20 of their last 27 contests dating back to '97. San Diego has allowed 41 points in four wins, 125 points in four losses in '99. They have committed 27 turnovers in 21 wins, 114 turnovers in 35 losses since '96.

The Raiders have played 10 straight games decided by seven or fewer points (5-5) dating back to '98. In their first eight games in '98, the Raiders have totaled 24 sacks and forced 18 turnovers, but have allowed 2,532 total yards (316.5 YPG) and 153 points. After committing just 14 turnovers in their first eight games (6-2) in 1998, the Raiders have committed 45 turnovers in their last 16 contests (6-10). After allowing just 175 points in their first 10 games in 1998 (7-3), the Raiders have allowed 334 points in their last 14 games (5-9).

Things to look for: San Diego's pathetic and mistake-prone offense continues its recent error-prone ways and doesn't figure to make much of a dent in an Oakland defensive unit that's had two weeks to rejuvenate itself. Meanwhile, now that the Chargers' defense has proven to be mortal against the run, you can surely bet that Raiders' head coach Jon Gruden will turn loose his improved running game.

Etc.: The Chargers have lost three straight games and 23 of their last 32 contests dating back to 1997. After opening 7-3 under head coach Jon Gruden, the Raiders are 5-9 in their last 14 games dating back to '98. The Raiders own an impressive 104-44-3 record (114-46-3, including playoffs) at the Oakland Coliseum, this compared to a 64-36 mark (69-38, including playoffs) at the L.A. Coliseum from 1982-94. WR Tim Brown (10,315) needs 57 yards to tie Harold Jackson (10,372) for 14th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list