The victory snapped a two-game home skid and was a welcome tonic for a reeling team which had lost five of its past six.

But considering the hole the Chargers have dug -- three games behind AFC West-leading Denver with three games remaining -- the triumph was hardly a cause for a parade.

"It's a win and we take it no further than that," running back LaDainian Tomlinson said.

"We don't want to make it more than it really is. It's one win; we got three games to go with two divisional games. But it was a good confidence boost."

The Chargers defeated the Raiders for the 11th straight time, bursting to an early lead then cruising to just their fifth win of the season.

Two of those wins have come at the hands of the Raiders; another one over the Chiefs. It's the Chargers' trouble with teams outside the AFC West which have them in a pickle.

The Chargers rebounding with such a fine showing didn't surprise quarterback Philip Rivers.

"We got a real good group of guys here that have a lot of pride and play for one another and I think that is evident when you are 4-8 and play with the energy and excitement and the care for one another that we did."

After two games in five days, the Chargers have three days off before starting to prepare for their trip to Kansas City. This Sunday, the Chargers will be rooting for the Chiefs -- they play the Broncos -- instead of trying to beat them.

The Chargers were just happy those beating up on them will have to take a break.

"We're excited to finally get back on track," linebacker Stephen Cooper said. "It's taken a while. We've had to go through a lot of ups and downs."