2012 Season Opponent Preview: San Diego Chargers face Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans
It’s time to start a new series of opponent previews. This time we are analysing the games San Diego Chargers will play in the 2012 National Football League (NFL) season.
Chargers have been training hard in their offseason training camp and we will start by previewing their games in week 1 and 2.
Their past performances have been average at best. They have faced immense criticism from analysts, fans and even from their own general manager.
This season, they desperately need to show some good performance. Otherwise, many will be sent packing.
Week 1: Oakland Raiders
Chargers will kick off their season against Oakland Raiders and will need to surpass the weak defence of Raiders.
For this purpose, they will depend on their quarterback Philip Rivers for producing good plays. He is unarguably the best quarterback in the whole division and one of the best in the league.
Last season, both the teams finished with 8-8. So there is not much to choose from as far as the standing of these two teams is concerned.
Last time, these two teams met each other was on 1st January, 2012. Chargers won that match 36-26.
Both the teams will confront each other two times this season. The second game will be played in the last week of the regular season.
Head-to-Head
Chargers and Raiders have played 105 games against each other. Chargers have won 45 games while Raiders have won 58. Two games were tied. These two have faced each other only once in playoffs with Raiders winning that one.
Week 2: Tennessee Titans
After failing to acquire Peyton Manning, Titans do not have truly good quality quarterback on their roster. This might take the Titans’ down in this game if Chargers display solid defensive performance.
Tennessee Titans had good season last year and finished 9-7. Yet they were unable to qualify for the playoffs.
It was their defence that let them down. Therefore, Titans have strengthened their defence. So for Chargers to win this one, their quarterback will also have to put more effort and get good scores.
Last encounter between these two was held in the 2010 season. Chargers won that game 33-25.
Head-to-Head
Chargers and Titans have played 42 matches against each other. Chargers are up with 25 wins against 16 of Titans. One game ended in a tie.
These two sides have played four games against each other in the playoffs. Titans have won three while Chargers have won only once.
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