Raiders vs. Chargers: position-by-position breakdown
The Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers at 1:25 p.m. Sunday. Here’s a breakdown by position.
Quarterbacks
Longtime Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers isn’t having his best season, but he’s getting his team into the end zone often and keeping it competitive. Los Angeles has scored 24 points or more three times this season. The Raiders get quarterback Derek Carr back from a back injury, but their offense has struggled the past three games. The Raiders haven’t scored more than 17 points since they dropped 45 on the Jets in Week 2. Carr probably won’t be 100 percent healthy this week.
Advantage: Chargers
Running backs
Rivers finally got some help with the ground game last week when Melvin Gordon rushed for 105 yards against the Giants. It was the first time he went over 80 yards in a game this season. Gordon’s ground game has struggled, but he has produced in the receiving game and found the end zone five times. Marshawn Lynch has been quiet since doing his memorable dance on the sidelines against the Jets. Beast Mode could break out against the NFL’s worst rushing defense.
Advantage: Chargers
Wide receivers
Has anyone seen Amari Cooper? It’s been a forgetful start to the season for Cooper, who has failed to record more than 10 receiving yards in the last three weeks. He hasn’t come close to a 100-yard receiving game. The Raiders’ secondary will have its hands full with the speedy trio of Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams. Tight ends Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates are giant red zone targets for Rivers.
Advantage: Chargers
Offensive line
The Raiders desperately need the offensive line to play as it did last season when it dominated opponents. With Carr dealing with a back injury, the Raiders can’t afford to have him take many sacks. The offensive line will need to have its best performance of the season to contain the Chargers’ stout defensive line. The Chargers’ offensive line has improved from last season with Russell Okung taking over at left tackle.
Advantage: Raiders
Defensive line
The Chargers’ Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram form arguably the NFL’s best pass-rushing tandem. They have terrorized offensive lines and combined for 12 sacks. Khalil Mack continues to be productive with four sacks and 31 tackles for the Raiders.
Advantage: Chargers
Linebackers
It’s rare when the Raiders have a better linebacker unit than their opponent, but that’s the case this week. The Chargers are thin at linebacker, with unheralded Kyle Emanuel and Korey Toomer starting. Teams have constantly attacked the middle of the Chargers’ defense.
Advantage: Raiders
Secondary
It keeps getting worse for the Raiders at cornerback. Rookie Gareon Conley is missing another game, and David Amerson is questionable with a shoulder injury. That probably means Sean Smith will start another game. He has struggled to defend the deep ball. Casey Hayward has stepped up as the Chargers’ shutdown corner.
Advantage: Chargers
Special teams
Kicker Nick Novak is back for the Chargers after they released Younghoe Koo. Raiders kicker Giorgio Tavecchio is 8-for-8 on field-goal attempts. Kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson continues to give the Raiders good field position.
Advantage: Raiders
Intangibles
The Chargers might win the position battles on paper, but luck hasn’t been on their side. They have lost close games to the Broncos, Dolphins and Eagles. They’re better than a 1-4 team. The lack of discipline hasn’t helped Los Angeles, either. The Chargers were penalized 11 times a week ago. The Raiders could benefit off those miscues.
Advantage: Raiders
Handicapper’s take
Micah Roberts (Sportsline.com): Chargers 24, Raiders 21 — David Carr was supposed to be out up to six weeks with a back injury and all of a sudden he’s out only one week? Wow, the dude is tough, and you have to admire his dedication. But things weren’t going well when he was healthy. There was no explanation for his lack of success other than dropped passes and the running game being sluggish. I like the Chargers coming off an East Coast win, and the underdog has gone 14-2 ATS in the past 16 meetings.
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Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GManzano24 on Twitter.
