Malcolm Smith is everywhere in Raiders’ win over Chargers

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SAN DIEGO — Malcolm Smith has a pretty fancy line on his resume — Super Bowl MVP — but Sunday might have been his best game in the NFL.

Smith, a free-agent linebacker who followed defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. to Oakland, wasn’t a full-time starter on Seattle’s heralded defense. He has gotten that chance in Oakland and is making the most of it.

“There are a lot of guys around the league that haven’t gotten the opportunity,” he said. “If you play long enough, hopefully you get those chances and you’re ready to take advantage of them.”

Smith looked ready Sunday. On the Chargers’ first possession, Smith picked off a Philip Rivers pass — grabbing the ball popped in the air by TJ Carrie — and returned it 27 yards to the 2-yard line.

“I was just casually running around and it came to me,” Smith said. “We had a good rush and good coverage, and I happened to benefit.”

Sound familiar? It was Smith who came up with the interception against his current teammate and then-49er Michael Crabtree when Richard Sherman deflected the ball in the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago. In the Super Bowl, Smith returned a Peyton Manning interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble. The ball seems to find Smith.

After Sunday’s interception, Latavius Murray punched the ball into the end zone to start the Raiders’ runaway win.

Malcolm Smith runs back an interception in the opening minutes. He reached the Chargers’ 2-yard line, setting up a TD. Malcolm Smith runs back an interception in the opening minutes. He reached the Chargers’ 2-yard line, setting up a TD. Photo: Harry How, Getty Images Photo: Harry How, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Malcolm Smith is everywhere in Raiders’ win over Chargers 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The defensive turnover-offensive score was the type of quick one-two punch the Raiders were seeking coming out of the bye week.

“I think for three quarters, you saw a glimpse of a good football in all three phases playing well,” head coach Jack Del Rio said.

Smith even found a silver lining to being brought down on the 2.

“Gotta get in the end zone — that was disappointing,” Smith said, “but I’m happy for Latavius and his fantasy fans.”

Smith finished with a game-high 11 tackles, a 9-yard sack of Rivers, two quarterback hits and two passes defended.

“Malcolm has been tremendous since the day he got here,” Del Rio said. “We can count on him to do a lot.

“He was among some extremely talented guys (in Seattle) and when he did play, he always played well. We’re glad to have him.”

Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.