For the second straight week, the Raiders went into the fourth quarter against a quality opponent with a two-score lead only to see the offense stagnate, the defense wear down and another loss added to their record.

After blowing a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter a week ago in Buffalo, the Raiders (1-3) were unable to hold onto a 15-3 lead in the fourth quarter at home on Sunday against San Diego. They gave up 25 points in the final quarter of a 28-18 loss.

"At times we're playing as well as anybody in the league. I know that sounds strange for you guys to hear, but look at the numbers," coach Lane Kiffin said. "Look at the way we're playing in the first three quarters of the last three weeks in a row; we're playing good enough to be on a three-game winning streak. All that being said, we're 1-3."

The only win was a 23-8 decision at Kansas City on Sept. 14. That followed Oakland's only blowout loss, a 41-14 defeat in the season opener to Denver. Questions about Kiffin's job security were raised after that game, and the team has responded with better play even if that hasn't led to better results.

Kiffin declined to talk about his reported shaky job status and would not even say whether he has talked recently to owner Al Davis. Last week, Kiffin said the two had not spoken since before the season opener, but he would not say Monday if they had spoken since.

"I just feel we're going to open up too many things, and those are conversations that I do or do not have with him that should stay between him and I," Kiffin said.

The work this week will be on improving Oakland's play on third down and in the red zone. Kiffin said he believes those two failings have been the biggest reason for the late-game collapses last week.

The team is just 5-for-27 on third-down conversions the past two weeks as the offense has been unable to keep the defense off the field.

Oakland made three trips inside the Chargers 20 on Sunday and settled for field goals every time. The previous week against the Bills, the Raiders settled for three first-half field goals on trips inside the 20.

"That's kind of the common theme. We're not finishing off drives the way that we're not finishing off the game," Kiffin said. "It's just very unfortunate, especially for our players. ... We gave ourselves a big lead but you go back and look at it, those leads should be bigger."

For the season, Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell has been sacked nearly as many times as he has completed a pass on third down. He's 8-for-25 for 127 yards on third downs, getting sacked six times.

"The first-, second-down stuff he's doing really well," Kiffin said. "We've got to find a way to do better on third down, and that's everything around him, including him and including us."

The week off also should help the Raiders in terms of health. Running back Justin Fargas (groin) and right guard Cooper Carlisle (sprained ankle) are expected to return. And Darren McFadden should be healthy after being slowed with a turf toe injury.