SAN DIEGO — There is no column for style points in the standings. For that, and another victory over the winless Oakland Raiders, the San Diego Chargers are thankful.

San Diego snapped a three-game losing skid by defeating the Raiders, 13-6, on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

“It’s not always going to be pretty, it’s not always going to be perfect,” Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. “But I’m very happy with our the team played.”

The Raiders didn’t offer many smiles, not after dropping their 16th consecutive game, three shy of the franchise record.

“Obviously there is a lot of anger,” Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. “But no one’s giving up … and no one is going to give up.”

Quarterback Philip Rivers had a touchdown pass and Nick Novak added two field goals as the Chargers (6-4) won for the first time in a month. It was far from their best performance. But after getting blanked by the Miami Dolphins before a bye in Week 10, San Diego will take it, especially on a day when AFC West-leading Denver lost in a stunner at St. Louis.

“We want to play better and we know we have to play better, but winning the game is the objective,” Rivers said. “If we would have scored 35 today and lost we would be sick.”

Oakland (0-10), which has gone a calendar year without a win, never led in the game but kept it interesting to the final minute.

“It was not good enough,” said Carr, after the Raiders crossed midfield just twice.

Rivers connected with wide receiver Malcom Floyd for a 22-yard touchdown early in the first quarter and Oakland never mounted a serious threat.

Rivers (22 of 34 for 193 yards and a touchdown) wasn’t sharp. The Chargers’ struggling offense — one touchdown in two games — neglected to take advantage of numerous Oakland mistakes but welcomed back running back Ryan Mathews. He led the team with 70 yards on 16 carries in his first game since the Chargers beat Seattle in Week 2.

“I thought he ran well,” Rivers said. “He had a couple big runs and our running game was definitely improved from the last couple of weeks.”

Carr completed 16 of 34 attempts for 172 yards. The Raiders scored on two Sebastian Janikowski field goals.

“We lost,” safety Charles Woodson said. “I don’t want to get into any positives on one side of the ball. We did not get the win. It’s all bad.”

In the third quarter, Novak kicked a 52-yard field goal for a 13-3 Chargers’ edge.

But that series came with some anxious moments. Rivers was hobbled after getting hit on a pass attempt but stayed in the game and limped in and out of the huddle for the rest of the game.

“I’m fine,” Rivers said.

It appeared the Chargers would add to their cushion in the final minute of the first half.

The Chargers reached the Raiders’ 20 with a timeout. But Rivers failed to get a play off before finally stopping the clock for a 48-yard Novak field-goal attempt.

But Novak was wide left, snapping his franchise record of 32 straight field goals.

The Chargers extended their advantage to 10-3 on Novak’s 23-yard field goal. The Chargers had a first down at the Oakland 9, but two Braden Oliver runs and a Rivers incomplete forced San Diego to settle for a field goal.

Janikowski’s 42-yard field goal midway through the first quarter cut the Chargers lead to 7-3.

The Raiders never did look comfortable. On the game’s first snap, Carr wasn’t ready for the snap and the ball ricocheted off him. Chargers linebacker Donald Butler recovered the fumble and the Charger took over on Oakland’s 22-yard line.

Rivers quickly converted the game’s lone turnover when finding Floyd in single coverage for a 22-yard scoring pass.

What the Chargers said:

“We just tried to tell everyone to remember back to when you were 8, 9, 10 years old playing outside in the front yard. That’s what we need.” — Safety Eric Weddle, on the San Diego defense playing with a new energy.

What the Raiders said:

“You try to keep a positive attitude and keep a smile on your face to keep from crying.” — Safety Charles Woodson, after the Raiders’ 16th consecutive loss.

What we learned about the Chargers:

1. The return of running back Ryan Mathews paid immediate dividends. The Chargers endured one of the NFL’s worst running games after Mathews exited the Week 2 game with a sprained knee. Mathews played Sunday and gave the team a back not afraid to run behind his pads. Mathews, who is in his contract year, finished with a game-high 70 yards on 16 carries, with a long of 20 yards.

2. The offense remains absent. Considering the weapons the Chargers have on that side of the ball and that quarterback Philip Rivers was playing at such a high level, it was surprising the team produced one touchdown in its past eight quarters. Rivers had an off day, which in the past often translated into a San Diego loss. However, the defense bailed out the offense Sunday. While that was nice, it is clear the Chargers are going to have to locate that early-season offensive mojo if they hope to play in January.

–QB Philip Rivers was sacked twice and hit on numerous other occasions. At one point backup Kellen Clemens was warming up as Rivers was doubled over after having the wind knocked out of him. Earlier, a player rolled up on his left leg, which produced a limp. Even so, Rivers never missed a snap and said he was OK. “He’s one of the toughest in the business, if not the toughest at that position,” coach Mike McCoy said. “He’s a winner.”

–C Rich Ohrnberger exited the game with an ankle injury and didn’t return. Ohrnberger’s absence forced rookie Chris Watt into action. The Chargers have used four centers this year.

–Rookie NT Ryan Carrethers left the game with an elbow injury, which further diminishes a position that is getting thin. Starter Sean Lissemore was unable to go on Sunday due to a quad injury.

What we learned about the Raiders:

1. Oakland is bad, although everyone had a hint coming in. However, when a team fumbles the first snap of the game — and the other team cashes in the turnover for a touchdown — there is not a lot of confidence moving forward. Whatever positive vibes interim coach Tony Sparano brought with him when taking the job last month have dissipated.

2. The Raiders tried to slap some jumper cables onto their morbid running game. Oakland turned away from rushers whose better days are clearly behind them — Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew — and gave third-string back Latavius Murray a chance. The second-year back rushed four times for 43 yards, producing a nifty 10.8-yard average. The rest of the team combined for 38 yards on 15 carries.

–S Charles Woodson hasn’t endured many seasons like this in his celebrated career. Although the Raiders are still looking their first win, Woodson continues to play at a high level in his 17th season. He led all players with 14 tackles, 11 of which were solo.

–P Marquette King was busy, punting nine times. King was solid, averaging nearly 50 yards gross, with a net average of 44.7. Two of his efforts landed inside the 20-yard line, and he had a long of 62 yards.

–QB Derek Carr continues to extend his franchise records for a rookie quarterback, but what he can’t do is secure that elusive first win. Carr didn’t throw a touchdown pass after heaving a season-high four when these teams last played. “There is still that little upbeat in us, and it will always be there,” he said. “I try my best to keep everybody upbeat.”