So I drove around the parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium before Sunday’s game between the Chargers and Raiders and a conservative estimate of the breakdown in fan support looks like this:
Oakland Raiders – 75%
San Diego Chargers – 25%
Did I mention this game is being played in San Diego?
Chargers fans are fed up with the ownership group and the losing. Raiders fans are fired up about the prospect of being back in the playoffs since 2002 (a win and they’re in). A stadium that has long been at least evenly split is about to become South Oak Town.
Usually I write a preview looking at three players to watch for the home team. So that’s what I’m going to do this week. Here are your three players to watch for the Chargers vs. Raiders showdown:
Khalil Mack, DE
After a slow start he has reclaimed his spot as one of the most disruptive forces in the National Football League. The Chargers have had all kinds of trouble protecting Philip Rivers, which is part of the reason the Chargers QB has had such a rash of turnovers lately. Being constantly under siege can lead to bad decisions. Mack’s ability to wreck offensive lines will be a big factor in this game because the Bolts will likely have to at least double him, leaving lots of one-one-one opportunities for the rest of the Raiders defense to get after Rivers.
Amari Cooper, WR
We get to see one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL against the league interceptions leader in Casey Hayward. This matchup will be fun to watch. Cooper, in just his second year, has already put up monster numbers against the Chargers. In their first meeting of 2016 he had a 64 yard touchdown catch. In their first meeting a year ago he had a 54-yard touchdown and in both games he topped 100 yards receiving. Cooper will get a healthy dose of Hayward but if Michael Crabtree can start taking advantage of San Diego’s depleted secondary (no Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers or Craig Mager) Hayward will have to pay attention to him, too, and that should open up Cooper. Basically, somebody is going to have a huge receiving day for the Raiders.
Austin Howard, RT
Likely the weakest link on a very good Raiders offensive line, Howard has drawn the ire of Oakland fans for a few sub-par performances. Now he gets to deal with Joey Bosa, who had a pair of sacks in his first NFL game up in the Bay Area. Howard will have to contain the man who has already become arguably the most effective pass rusher on the San Diego roster to give Derek Carr time to hit those big-play wideouts.
Derek’s Prediction
The talent level of these two teams is really not that far off. The attitude and coaching staffs, however, are light years apart. Their first meeting came down to a bad decision by Mike McCoy and a bad hold by Drew Kaser. This one will not be anywhere near as close.
Final score: Raiders 37, Chargers 20
