NFL Week 13 Matchup - Preview: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
Oakland Raiders will travel to face their foe San Diego Chargers in an NFL pro football game on 5th December.
Last time, these two American Football Conference West Division opponents faced each other in October when Oakland Raiders avoided a 14th straight loss to Chargers with a 35-27 win in week 5. It was Raiders’ first win over Chargers since 2003.
Despite gaining over 500 yards with three turnovers, Chargers lost this game. Raiders were extremely sloppy with 12 penalties for 85 yards.
Raiders enter play with an overall record of 5-6 on the season. They post an average of 23 points and 335 yards per game.
Raiders are 1-4 and hit the road for the 6th time on the season. Their only road win came in a 59-14 win at Denver Broncos in late October.
Raiders have not been as fortunate. They lost two in a row and came off a 33-17 blowout home defeat to the Miami Dolphins last week.
Oakland produced just 263 yards and converted on 2 of 9 on third down. Raiders ran the ball with 16 yards on 11 carries. Raiders gave three turnovers and took 1 away from their opponents.
Fan favourite Bruce Gradkowski (Raiders’ Quarterback) completed 17 of 32 passes for 252 yards with just one offensive touchdown and two interceptions. Gradkowski reinjured his shoulder on his final throw of the game so Jason Campbell will take over as Raiders'
starting QB at San Diego.
Running back Darren McFadden ran for just two yards on eight carries. He did manage to catch seven passes for 63 yards.
Rookie Jacoby Ford was the entire Raiders' offense. Ford caught four passes for 108 yards, including a 52-yard catch and a 44-yard touchdown and returned the opening kickoff for a score. Wide receiver Louis
Murphy caught four passes for 73 yards.
Defensively, Oakland gave up 23 points and 335 yards per game.
Raiders allowed 471 yards to the Dolphins offense and 9 of 19 conversions on third down. Oakland got crushed by their AFC East Division opponents' run game by allowing 186 yards on 49 carries for almost 4 yards per rush. The Oakland defence allowed Dolphins
no touchdowns in three red zone appearances.
Chargers enter this AFC West game with a record of 6-5 on the season. They put up 28 points and 407 yards per game.
Chargers are at home for the 6th time this year and they are 1-4. Their sole home loss came in a 23-20 defeat against the New England Patriots on 24 October. Since that loss, Chargers have strung together four straight victories.
Chargers handed Indianapolis Colts their worst home loss of the Manning era, 36-14, on 28 November.
San Diego gained 301 yards and converted on a lousy 0 of 8 on third down against the Indianapolis. The team produced 129 yards on 34 carries for a 3.8 yards per rush average. San Diego got in the end zone in just 1 of 5 tries inside the red zone.
Quarterback Philip Rivers completed 19 of his 23 passing attempts for 185 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions against the Indianapolis.
Running back Mike Tolbert carried 26 times for 103 yards with one touchdown.
Tight end Antonio Gates toughed out four receptions for 46 yards but did not score in Chargers’ win at Indianapolis.
On the defence, Chargers put up 20 points and 272 yards per game.
Chargers’ defensive performance sealed the victory at Indianapolis. The San Diego gave up just 24 yards on 13 rushing attempts. Chargers forced five Indianapolis' turnovers and took gave away.
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