Raiders going with hot hand on offensive line in finale vs Chargers

Antonio Pierce is opting for continuity on the offensive line to finish it out after their best ground game of the season.

Last week in New Orleans the Raiders rode their best ground game of the season to a second straight win. Ameer Abdullah had the first 100-yard game of his career, rushing for 115 yards.

Left guard Jordan Meredith was injured for a second straight game, so the starting lineup went thusly:

LT Kolton MIller
LG Jackson Powers-Johnson
C Andre James
RG Dylan Parham
RT DJ Glaze

Meredith returned the practice this week and is officially Questionable for the game. But Antonio Pierce said he’s making the call now and they’re going with continuity and sticking with the same group that led them to such success against the Saints.

“We’ll stay with the same five guys that were starting last week,” said Pierce.

Early in the season, Powers-Johnson was starting at left guard with James at center, so keeping them in those spots this week isn’t a difficult decision.

It will be interesting to see whether this lineup carries over to next season or if JPJ moves back to center where he earned the Rimington Award and became a high second round pick. Or if they keep him at guard and James at center.