Chargers’ keys to victory: Offensively, Los Angeles needs to protect quarterback Philip Rivers. When Rivers senses any pressure, he’s susceptible to making mistakes. Even then, he must protect the football. If he is able to get some time to throw or is safe with the rock, he should have feast on a Raiders pass defense that’s 27th in the league. The Chargers also need to keep riding the hot hand with running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler, who have both dominated the Raiders in recent meetings.
Defensively, it all comes down to making the Raiders one-dimensional by pressuring quarterback Derek Carr and making them resort to their run game, which will be without potential Offensive Rookie of the Year Josh Jacobs. Safety Derwin James will be key to containing tight Darren Waller, Carr’s favorite target and serving as an additional blitzer to bring the heat, while Adrian Phillips will be the difference-maker in slowing the ground game and on third-down situations.
Matchup to watch: Chargers OT Trey Pipkins and Sam Tevi vs. Raiders pass rush.
The last time the two teams met, Rivers had no time to breathe in the pocket. As a result, he was sacked five times and hit 10 total times. This week, he will only have one starting tackle in Tevi, while Pipkins gets the start in place of Russell Okung at left tackle. Pipkins showed some flashes in his start against the Chiefs in Week 11. Both players will need to be on their A-game against a hungry rookie tandem of Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell, who were unstoppable in their first meeting. If Rivers is able to get a little bit of a time in the pocket, he should have success like he has in recent meetings at home against the Raiders. If he doesn’t, it could be a long day for the Chargers offense.
Who wins? The Chargers have dominated the Raiders on their home turf in recent years. With nearly all of their starters who were hurt in their first meeting back, they should benefit from that. Meanwhile, Oakland has struggled, dropping their last four straight games. Even though Los Angeles is out of playoff contention, the Chargers will be motivated to knock the Raiders out of playoff contention, finish their last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park with a win and avoid going winless in the AFC West.
Chargers 24, Raiders 20