NFL San Diego Chargers vs Oakland Raiders preview: Chargers want AFC West dominance back
The San Diego Chargers are off to their typically average start; well at least 2-2 is a slow start for them. The Oakland Raiders are off to a slow start as well at 1-3, although there have been some improvements
with Bruce Gradkowski as their starter. The Chargers visit Oakland on Sunday with each team eying their first division win and the Chargers looking to win their first game on the road.
The Chargers are 0-2 on the road and 2-0 at home. The Raiders are 0-2 on the road as well with their only win coming in a two-point win at home over St. Louis. The difference between the Chargers we’ve seen
on the road and at home have been day and night. The Chargers won their home games by a combined 56 points. They kept games close in Kansas City and Seattle but came up short due to woes on special teams.
Now the Chargers get a struggling Raiders defence that looks like they can’t stop anybody. Philip Rivers will look to light up the Raiders as he’s done to all defences he’s faced. Rivers has racked up 1,328
yards and nine touchdowns in four games. With Vincent Jackson still holding out in a contract dispute, Rivers has looked to Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee as his main targets. The Chargers are also getting some power running from Mike Tolbert
and Ryan Mathews is improving each week. The Raiders defence should have their hands full. The Chargers are first in the league with 450 yards of offence per game. That’s a challenge for any defence.
The Raiders defence has disappointed so far. This unit was expected to take some major strides this year, but they are ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed (162 per game) and 29th in points allowed (26 per
game). They’re a stellar third against the pass, particularly because of the reliable Nnamdi Asomugha shutting down receivers, but that’s their bright spot.
The Raiders’ offence has improved dramatically with Gradkowski under centre. Gradkowski is finding rhythm with his receivers. The Raiders are ninth in the league with 354 yards per game, miles better than
last year. The big difference though has been the emergence of Darren McFadden, who is finally playing like the number one back he was drafted to be. That’s why it makes it hard that McFadden injured his hamstring last week and his status is still uncertain.
If McFadden can’t go, Michael Bush will be the Raiders’ feature back.
The Chargers defence is yet to go up against a potent offence but have looked very good against the run, only giving up 80 yards per game. They are second in the league with just 238 yards of total offence
allowed per game. If McFadden is out, that makes their job easier and the Raiders offence will struggle if they have to go to the air too often.
The stats of both teams point to a big San Diego victory but the Chargers still have to prove they can play well away from home. Divisional games are always tough regardless of the calibre of teams and especially
on the road it will still be a test for San Diego. Their offence will have to stay in rhythm because if this game turns into a shootout, the Chargers will take it easily. If this game becomes a tight defensive struggle, the Raiders may be able to pull off
a shocker at home. But the smart money still says to take the Chargers in this one.
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