4 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 16 opponent

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out four key things to know about the Oakland Raiders heading into Week 16.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders meet for the second and last time this season in what will be a bout in the last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park this Sunday.

Here are four key things to know about the Raiders heading into the matchup:

Wheels have fallen off

About a month ago, you would have thought that the 6-4 Raiders were headed to the playoffs. But Oakland has been hit with injuries and they haven’t been able to perform at the level they were earlier this season. As a result, they’re on a four-game losing skid and have been outscored 136-49 during that span.

Defense has taken a dip

When the Chargers and Raiders met earlier this season, you would’ve thought that they had a top-10 defense as they forced three turnovers and sacked quarterback Philip Rivers five times. But the numbers don’t suggest that heading into their second meeting.

Oakland is 27th in league in opposing passing yards per game (263.8), 30th in opposing passing touchdowns per game (2.3) and they’ve struggled at getting to the quarterback, posting only four sacks in their last four games. Along with that, their red zone defense ranks 31st as opponents have a 66.7% conversion rate.

Stout in pass protection

If the Chargers want to have success on the defensive side of the ball, they need to put quarterback Derek Carr under duress. Los Angeles’ pass rush has been one of the more disappointing areas, totaling only 27 sacks this season, which ranks 27th in the NFL. It won’t be an easy task to get hot as defensive end Joey Bosa and company face an offensive line that has yield the second-lowest pressure percentage in the league (18.3%) and the fifth-lowest amount of sacks (24).

Struggles to beat Chargers on the road

The Raiders might have taken care of business in the team’s first meeting, but history shows the Bolts have had their number whenever the game is played in Southern California. In last two games played at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Chargers have won by the scores of 26-10 and 30-10. Quarterback Philip Rivers has been red hot in those contests, completed 78% of his passes, while throwing five touchdowns and zero interceptions.