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OAKLAND, California (Reuters) - Quarterback Philip Rivers engineered a fourth-quarter drive to power San Diego Chargers to a season-opening 24-20 win over the Oakland Raiders on Monday, equaling the current NFL head-to-head record.

Running back Darren Sproles punched in a touchdown from five yards out with 18 seconds remaining to cap an 89-yard march as the Chargers defeated the Raiders for a 12th consecutive time, tying the longest current winning run of one team over another.

"This was one of those hard fought division games," Rivers told reporters after throwing for 252 passing yards in the win.

"In this league you have to find a way to win and that's what we did."

The Raiders appeared to be on the verge of snapping the streak against their AFC West foe when JaMarcus Russell connected on a 57-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy on a fourth-and-14 play.

But San Diego received the ball back trailing 20-17 with 2:30 remaining and Rivers completed four straight passes, and six overall, on the final pivotal possession.

Rivers, who led the NFL in quarterback rating last season, finished 24-for-36 passing. His 15-yard scoring strike to Vincent Jackson put San Diego up 17-13 with 7:22 remaining.

The Raiders had controlled much of the game with strong defense and a steady running game with newly acquired defensive lineman Richard Seymour recording two sacks in his debut after being picked up in a trade with New England Patriots.

Oakland QB Russell, the No. 1 choice in the 2007 draft, battled through a brief injury late in the fourth and finished with 208 passing yards and two interceptions.

The Raiders took a 7-0 lead in the first on a TD run from Michael Bush and after the game was tied 10-10 at the half, Sebastian Janikowski made his second field goal to put Oakland up 13-10 with 13:01 to go.

"We have to finish the game and we didn't do that," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "But I'm very excited about what this team has to come and where I think we're headed."

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Good fuckin' game, if River tries to disrespect one of players again like he did last night, Tyvonne branch will punch him in his fucking mouth.

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Someone should he is a punk.

Have to agree there... Philip Rivers is a punk.

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