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Floyd excels in loss

Posted Oct 10, 2010

Receiver credits quarterback and coach for 213 receiving yards, but wishes productive day would’ve helped lead to a win.

SAN DIEGO – After a seven-catch, 144-yard effort against the Cardinals, Antonio Gates called himself a product of a strong Chargers’ passing offense he said is likely to produce a star every game.

It was just my week, he said.

Sunday against the Raiders, then, belonged to Malcom Floyd.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound receiver had the best game by a Chargers receiver in 25 years, catching eight passes for 213 yards and a touchdown. He had receptions of 34, 36, 41 and 55 yards.

That’s the most yardage since Sept. 15, 1985, when Wes Chandler had 243 receiving yards.

“I’ve got the best quarterback in the league and the best offensive play-caller in the league. All I have to do is run my routes correctly and the ball’s going to be there on time,” Floyd said. “But I wish it would’ve converted over to a win.”

Floyd made 13 and 5-yard receptions in the fourth quarter and drew a pass interference call that drove the Chargers to Oakland’s 23-yard line with 1:22 left. Trailing 28-27, San Diego was in line for a 41-yard field goal from there, but a holding penalty backed them up 10 yards and led to a turnover two plays later.

But for much of the day Floyd streaked down the field, often steps ahead of the Oakland defense. He averaged 26.6 yards a catch and felt confident he could do what he wanted.

“At times, yeah, you get into the field and adrenaline starts going and you feel like you’re on top of the world, but that doesn’t mean anything when you don’t have a ‘W’ in the win column,” Floyd said.

The tall receiver helped Philip Rivers to one of his best games, including 431 receiving yards. The play that must’ve sent shockwaves of emotion through Chargers fans, a 64-yard fumble return by the Raiders that gave Oakland an eight-point lead with less than a minute left, was intended to go to Floyd. Another instant and Rivers’ pass would’ve launched toward No. 80.

“I thought I had a chance there. He had some separation,” Rivers said.

SACKS AGAIN: Inside linebacker Kevin Burnett sacked Raiders quarterbacks twice on Sunday. That marked the second consecutive week he recorded multiple sacks, which gives him a career-high four.

Burnett, second on the team with five tackles against Oakland, also had two quarterback hits.

UNFORTUNATE: The Raiders recovered all six of the game’s fumbles, continuing a pattern that’s developed this season.

The Chargers have fumbled 11 times in five games and lost nine of those.

Research by statistical gurus during the last few years has shown recovering fumbles to be a 50-50 proposition akin to a coin flip. But there’s no question that San Diego’s players are lamenting ball security. Rivers, analyzing the offense, pointed to turnovers as their biggest downfall.

WILSON MAKES PLAYS: Kion Wilson, signed to the active roster last week, made four special teams tackles Sunday and forced a fumble.

Wilson, a fullback-linebacker, started the year on the practice squad. The rookie now has made five special teams stops in two games.

BOLTS: Antonio Gates caught a touchdown in his ninth consecutive game … Philip Rivers threw a touchdown in his 18th consecutive regular season game, two behind Dan Fouts’ team record … Cam Thomas, active for the first time in his career, played at nose tackle for the Chargers … OLB Antwan Applewhite and RB Mike Tolbert each started their second consecutive games for San Diego … Paul Oliver also started at strong safety.

ATTENDANCE: 48,279.

GAME WEATHER: Sunny, 76 degrees.

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