Chargers ready to say farewell to Dignity Health Sports Park

After spending three seasons in a soccer stadium, coaches and players of the Los Angeles Chargers are ready to move on.

The Los Angeles Chargers will play their final game at Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly knows as StubHub Center, this Sunday when they take on the Oakland Raiders.

After moving from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017, the Chargers used the stadium that served as the main home to the L.A. Galaxy as their temporary home for three seasons.

The stadium that held 27,000 didn’t seem like home for the Bolts as the stands were flooded with fans to the opposing team, where their cheers outnumbered the Chargers fans and quite often booed them, too.

The high cost of tickets made a habit of selling their tickets for profit. But it’s been tough for the Chargers to build a market as there hasn’t been a football team in Los Angeles for two decades and because of it, those seats were filled with colors other than blue and gold.

For many of the players and coaches, they’re ready to start a new era when they move into SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA with a seat capacity of 78,000, which will be shared with the Rams starting in 2020.

“I’m pretty excited for the new stadium to open up. Look at the game last week, 90 percent purple, maybe. That’s tough. Hopefully when we go to the new stadium it’s a lot better. Hopefully we have a decent fan base, a decent following,” guard Michael Schofield said.

Coach Anthony Lynn compared it to a high school football stadium in Texas, while punter Ty Long felt like it was similar to the stadiums in the Canadian Football League where he played before signing with Los Angeles.

“We’re going to miss the place. You never are going to play someplace like that again, I believe, in that type of intimate environment. We’ll miss it, but we’re looking forward to going to our new home,” Lynn said.

The Chargers lost their first three games there before winning the final five home games of the 2017 season. They have an 11-10 home record compared to being 14-9 on the road during the three-year stint.

Fans that paid the hefty price to watch their favorite team at Dignity Health Sports Park were able to get an up-close experience as it appeared to be a lower level view no matter where they sat.

But players are excited to move into a new stadium that will give them the feeling like they’re actually playing in the National Football League.

“There’s something about that bigger stadium that feels like, ‘OK, now I’m on the big stage. I feel like a Roman gladiator, a rock star, all that. It’s just part of the experience,” running back Austin Ekeler said, per Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano.

[lawrence-related id=32078,32067,32064,32059]

Prediction poll for matchup between Chargers vs. Raiders

It’s time to make your prediction on who you believe will win the Week 16 battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders are set to face off on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1:05 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park in their last home game of the season.

The Chargers are hoping to bounce back after their worst loss of the year last weekend to the Minnesota Vikings, as well as avoid being swept by the Raiders.

For the Raiders, they are looking to dig themselves out of a hole after dropping four consecutive games, which has seen them get outscored by 87 points throughout in that span.

Even though Los Angeles will be missing offensive tackle Russell Okung, the team is healthier than they were the first time they met with Oakland. The Raiders, on the other hand, will be without running back Josh Jacobs and offensive tackle Trent Brown, while also dealing with a banged up offensive line.

We expect the Chargers defense to limit quarterback Derek Carr and company and for quarterback Philip Rivers to stay hot at home against the Raiders, exploiting their below average pass defense. As a result, Los Angeles takes care of business by the score of 24-20.

With that, who do you think will win Sunday’s contest?

Check out the poll below and let us know what you think.

[polldaddy poll=10481264]

[lawrence-related id=32067,32064,32059,32052]

Will the Chargers-Raiders game be on in your area?

The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders meet on Sunday afternoon.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders meet on Sunday afternoon in what will be the last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park.

If you’re in the green area on the map, you will get the game, courtesy of 506 Sports.

If you’re in the red, you will watch the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cleveland Browns. Those in the periwinkle will get the Pittsburgh Steelers battle with the New York Jets. If you’re in the tangerine, you will see the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins. Those game will be played at 10:00 a.m. PT.

The only other afternoon game, along with the Chargers and Raiders, will be the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos. If you’re in the gold area, you will get that game on CBS.

Greg Gumbel and Trent Green will get the call. Los Angeles is still listed as 6.5-point favorites over Oakland.

[lawrence-related id=32064,32059,32052,32019]

Chargers OT Trey Pipkins likely to start vs. Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers third-round selection will likely get the start at left tackle this weekend against the Oakland Raiders.

It’s more than likely that Chargers rookie Trey Pipkins will be the starting left tackle this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, per coach Anthony Lynn.

Russell Okung, who has been dealing with a groin injury, was listed as doubtful for this weekend’s AFC West battle.

It was between Pipkins and Trent Scott to start in place of Okung, but it appears that the coaching staff wants to make sure the former Sioux Falls is getting live game action as part of his development.

Pipkins has played in two regular season games this season, one being a start. It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the third-round selection, but he has shown flashes, especially against a stout Kansas City Chiefs defensive front.

The only other player listed on the injury report is running back Justin Jackson, who is questionable with a hamstring injury.

[lawrence-related id=32052,32019,32012,31997]

Who are experts taking in Chargers vs. Raiders?

NFL experts and analysts have made their predictions for the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders.

The Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) are considered 6.5-point favorites over the Oakland Raiders (6-8) in Week 16 of the 2019 regular season. The over/under line is set to 46.5 points, per BetMGM.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 46.5 points.

Our score prediction for the game is a 24-20 win for the Chargers, with a combined total of 44 points. So if we were putting money behind our prediction, we’d bet the under.

As for game picks, a plethora of experts are rolling with Los Angeles to bounce back after suffering defeat last Sunday and pick up a win in their last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Expert	Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today)	Chargers
Mike Jones (USA Today)	Chargers
Mike Clay (ESPN)	Chargers
Sporting News	Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports)	Chargers
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports)	Chargers
Pro Football Focus	Chargers
Bleacher Report	Chargers

Sunday’s contest will begin at 1:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

[lawrence-related id=32019,32012,31997,31981]

Raiders players the Chargers must game-plan for in Week 16

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the Oakland Raiders players the Los Angeles Chargers must game-plan for in Week 16.

The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing for their last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

The last time the two teams met was in Week 10. It was a close battle, but ultimately the Raiders came out on top.

With that, there are a few Oakland players that the Chargers must be game-planned for in order to avoid being swept by them.

DE Clelin Ferrell & Maxx Crosby

In their first meeting earlier this season, quarterback Philip Rivers had very little room to breathe, and that’s largely due to the dominance by Ferrell and Crosby who attributed to their five sacks and handful of quarterback hits that night.

Heading into Week 16, the two first-year players have combined for 12 sacks on the season and they’re both eager to bolster up that column on the stat sheet this weekend once more.

With left tackle Russell Okung likely to be a game-time decision, there’s reason to be concerned. If Okung can’t go, Trent Scott or rookie Trey Pipkins will be tasked with protecting quarterback Philip Rivers’ blindside.

Pages: 1234

First injury report for Chargers vs. Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers started their preparation for their Week 16 matchup against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday. Here is a look at today’s injury report. Offensive tackle Russell Okung was the only non-participant. Okung is currently dealing …

The Los Angeles Chargers started their preparation for their Week 16 matchup against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday.

Here is a look at today’s injury report.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung was the only non-participant. Okung is currently dealing with a groin injury that he sustained in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Anthony Lynn said if Okung can’t go then it’ll be between Trent Scott and rookie Trey Pipkins for the start at left tackle.

Scott entered the game in place of Okung last weekend. Pipkins has been a healthy scratch the past two contests.

Wide receiver Mike Williams and running back Justin Jackson were both limited.

Williams has been dealing with a knee issue over a month, but he should be good to go for this weekend.

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.

Who’s favored in Chargers vs. Raiders?

The Los Angeles Chargers have opened as home favorites over the Oakland Raiders in Week 16.

The Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) have opened up as 5.5-point favorites over the Oakland Raiders (6-8) in Week 16 of the 2019 regular season, per BetMGM.

The Chargers are coming off their worst loss of the season to the Minnesota Vikings as they were plagued by turnovers and were outmatched in all three phases. As a result, they suffered defeat by the score of 39-10.

The Raiders are also entering Week 16 off a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-16. In their last game in the Coliseum, it was an ugly scene as the players were booed and had food thrown at them by fans as they walked off the field.

The last time the two teams met was in Week 10 of this season. It was a back and forth battle, but the Chargers were unable to prevail on their game-winning drive attempt, losing by the score of 26-24.

While the Raiders might not be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, it would have to take nearly a miracle in order for them to keep playing in January.

For the Bolts, they have been eliminated of playoff contention for the past two weeks, but they are hoping to avoid being swept by Oakland this season.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Time, date set for Week 16 matchup between Chargers-Raiders

The time and date has been set for the Week 16 battle between the Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers.

The league announced that the Week 16 battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders is set for Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1:05 p.m. PT.

The game from Dignity Health Sports Park will be televised on CBS.

The date and time had not been set yet because there was a possibility that the two teams could have been playing a day before on Saturday night on primetime television.

The Chargers will get their opportunity for revenge after losing to the Raiders last Thursday night by the score of 26-24 before finishing the 2019 season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

[lawrence-related id=30490,30477,30470,30459]