Tag: Chargers vs. Raiders preview

Behind Enemy Lines: 4 questions with Raiders Wire

Answers to a few key questions about the Raiders ahead of their matchup with the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders are about to duke it out in a divisional showdown to open up the season on Sunday afternoon.

Before the matchup, Raiders Wire writer Levi Damien spoke with us about Los Angeles’ opponent.

What are the biggest schematic changes (offense and/or defense) we can expect with Josh McDaniels as head coach?

One schematic change on defense you can expect is more man coverage. They let 2021 starters Casey Hayward and Trayvon Mullen go and picked up Rock Ya-Sin and Anthony Averett. Nickel corner Nate Hobbs showed he could hold up in man and zone as a rookie and he gets a promotion to start and work inside and outside.

As for the offense, I wouldn’t expect it to change too much schematically. Both McDaniels and Gruden love their tight ends and slot receivers and the Raiders have Pro Bowl players at both positions in Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow.

How is the addition of Davante Adams going to impact the way the Raiders operate on offense?

He should give Derek Carr a lot more confidence in throwing downfield for sure. That seems a given. Adams is also considered the best route runner in the league, and with the offensive line as shaky as it is, expect some quick passes to Adams with his ability to shake defenders quickly off the line. His ability to get open quickly will be crucial, especially in this game with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack rushing from both sides.

There was some buzz about Josh Jacobs getting traded this offseason. Is he going to have his normal workload or are other guys going to be more in the mix than in years past?

It’s going to be a backfield by committee. Jacobs will likely get more carries than the others, but overall he will share with Brandon Bolden and the two rookies. Ameer Abdullah will get some carries as well, but he will get most of his touches as a receiver out of the backfield. He’ll fill the same role James White filled in McDaniels’s offense in New England.

Are we going to see Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby switch sides for matchups, or will it mostly be Jones against left tackle and Crosby against right tackle?

I personally expect Crosby to rush off right tackle and Jones off left tackle, but it’s hard to say for certain if or how much they might switch things up.

5 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 1 opponent: Raiders

To get you prepped for the Chargers’ Week 1 matchup with the Raiders, here are five things to know about their opponent.

The Chargers will open up the 2022 regular season at SoFi Stadium against division rivals Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1:25 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 1 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

Coaching change

During the 2021 season, Jon Gruden resigned as head coach after a report of anti-gay, misogynistic language used in emails. The Raiders hired then-special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to oversee the team. Despite making the playoffs, Bisaccia was fired in favor of Josh McDaniels, former Patriots offensive coordinator. This isn’t McDaniels’ first rodeo as a head coach. From 2009 to 2010, he served as the Broncos’ head coach and won the division in Year 1. However, he was fired 12 games into the following season and left Denver with an 11-17 record. McDaniels picked from New England’s coaching staff, which includes offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, to join him.

Key offseason additions

Las Vegas bolstered its offense with the acquisition of superstar wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams reunites with his former college quarterback Derek Carr) and joins a talented offense that features tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders signed edge defender Chandler Jones, who replaces Yannick Ngakoue, to play opposite Maxx Crosby. In the trade for Ngakoue, Las Vegas acquired cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Other notable free agency acquisitions include defensive tackles Andrew Billings and Bilal Nichols.

Questionable offensive line

The Raiders had issues with the offensive line last season, and they did very little to address the position this offseason. Former first-rounder Alex Leatherwood was released. Brandon Parker suffered a season-ending injury. Denzelle Good retired. Kolton Miller, who is the standout of the group, is the starting left tackle while Andre James returns to play center. Second-year John Simpson and rookie Dylan Parham are battling for the left guard spot while Lester Cotton Sr. will man right guard, with veteran Jermaine Eluemunor set to start right tackle. Aside from Miller, there are plenty of uncertainties.

Deep running back group

The Chargers upgraded their run defense with the additions of defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, edge defender Khalil Mack and rookie Otito Ogbonnina. The Raiders, meanwhile, will look to see if the moves paid off with their five-running back room. Las Vegas signed veterans Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah to compliment 2020 Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs. In addition, they drafted two backs in Zamir White from Georgia and Brittain Brown from UCLA.

Changes in the cornerback room

The Raiders added to their cornerback room with Rock Ya-Sin, Anthony Averett, and Sam Webb to go along with two returners — Nate Hobbs and Amik Robertson. A starter from last season, Trayvon Mullen, was traded to the Cardinals. Ya-Sin was signed to replace Casey Hayward. He will start along with Averett and Robertson. These young corners are going to get tested right out the gate by an imposing Chargers offense, led by Justin Herbert and featuring weapons Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Josh Palmer.

5 Raiders who pose biggest threat to Chargers

Highlighting key Raiders players who could make it difficult for the Chargers this Sunday.

This Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders in a win-or-go-home contest.

Here are a few Raiders players who the Bolts must hone in on to increase their chances of making it to the playoffs.

WR Hunter Renfrow

In Year 3, Renfrow has enjoyed a lot of success. Renfrow recently topped the 1,000-yard mark (1,025), is one reception shy of 100, and has seven touchdowns to go along with it. Furthermore, he is nearing in on becoming the second receiver since 1992 to catch at least 80% of his targets in a season. The other was Michael Thomas. With the ability to set up cornerbacks with his quicks and route savvy and reel in everything thrown in his direction, Renfrow won’t be an easy task.

TE Darren Waller

The Raiders’ offense hasn’t been as efficient, and a lot of it has to do with Waller, who missed multiple weeks due to injuries and COVID-19. But it appears that he is trending towards making his return this weekend. In 10 games, Waller has 53 receptions for 643 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 4, when the two teams met, he posted four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. Currently, the Chargers allow the most yards (1,098) and scores (13) to opposing tight ends.

EDGE Maxx Crosby

If there’s one way of slowing down Herbert, it’s by getting pressure on him in a hurry. It remains to be seen whether Storm Norton or Trey Pipkins will get the start at right tackle, but regardless, the premier pass rusher must be mitigated at all costs. Crosby has a whopping 90 pressures, 65 hurries, 17 hits, and eight sacks this season. So look for the Chargers to likely chip block him and move the pocket to aid that side.

CB Nate Hobbs

Hobbs, the stud rookie slot corner, was arrested less than a week ago for a DUI. Despite his actions, Hobbs will not be disciplined and will play this weekend, which creates a challenge for Keenan Allen. According to Pro Football Focus, in the Chargers and Raiders’ first meeting, Hobbs limited Allen to one catch for two yards. Hobbs has allowed just 33 yards in 2021 at 8.1 yards per reception. He has yet to surrender a touchdown, with the longest completion into his coverage going for 34 yards.

CB Casey Hayward

Next to Hobbs on the outside is the former Charger who’s playing some outstanding football. Hayward has been beaten for just 298 total yards and one touchdown on 604 coverage snaps in 2021. When Los Angeles and Las Vegas earlier this season, Hayward gave up just two receptions on four targets for 13 yards, with a long of nine.

5 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 4 opponent: Raiders

Highlighting important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent ahead of Week 4.

The Chargers are back at home, this time in primetime, to take on the Raiders in the second division matchup of the regular season on Monday, Oct. 4 at 5:25 pm PT.

Here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 4 bout:

Outstanding offense

Just when you thought the Chargers’ offense was top-tier, the team will be going up against the cream of the crop. With quarterback Derek Carr playing some of the best football that he has in his career, the Raiders offense ranks first in the league in total offense (471.0 yards per game), first in passing (379.7 ypg), and tied for fifth in points (30.0 points per game).

Wide variety of weapons

With Carr leading the league in passing yards with 1,203, four of his weapons have each surpassed 200 receiving yards: Henry Ruggs, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, and Bryan Edwards. In addition, each touchdown Carr has thrown has been caught by a different receiver.

Middle of the pack defense

With former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley calling the shots in Las Vegas now, his unit currently ranks 14th in total defense (355.7 ypg), 12th in passing (235.3 ypg), 21st in rushing (120.3 ypg), and 14th in points allowed (24.0 ppg).

Maxx on a mission

There’s Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, and Joey Bosa, but Maxx Crosby is on a mission to stack himself among these top-edge defenders. After racking up 17 sacks in his first two seasons combined, Crosby is just one sack away from becoming the eighth player in franchise history with at least 20 sacks in his first three seasons. In addition, he leads the NFL in quarterback pressures (25).

Familiar faces

Along with Bradley, there will be some others that formerly wore blue and gold. The players are Denzel Perryman, Casey Hayward Jr. and Darius Philon, while the coaches are made up of defensive backs coach Ron Milus, linebackers coach Richard Smith, assistant defensive backs coach Addison Lynch (2018-20), and defensive quality control coach Ryan Milus (2019-20).