I usually start this piece off by taking a look at the important aspect of this week's match up, trying to find places the Chargers will either be vulnerable to attack or places they can exploit an inequity in the opponent.
This week against the Raiders, however, that does not seem necessary.
On Saturday night I was at a restaurant in Oakland, wearing a Chargers hat. I kid you not, four people, asked me if I was a Chargers fan. Because, you know, the hat emblazoned with the giant lightning bolt and NFL logo didn't give that away.
All four of them announced themselves as Raiders fans. Then all four of them, in separate incidents, said they'll be at the game rooting for their team, but said they thing San Diego is going to put a whupping on them.
Yes, not even Raiders fans, some of the most hard-headed and loyal folks in professional sports, giving their team much of a chance to beat the Bolts. In fact, three of these people said part of them was hoping the Chargers win big because they have Philip Rivers or Antonio Gates on their fantasy football teams.
So, with that, let's just jump right in to this week's players to watch:
Mike Scifres, P
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Scifres has always been superb at sticking opponents deep in their own territory. In fact, he's the NFL's all-time leader in percentage of punts downed inside the 20. This year (aside from a few touchbacks in Buffalo, where the wind is as predictable as Justin Bieber's behavior) has been no exception. Despite the resignation of the fans I spoke with, the Raiders do have a puncher's chance to beat the Chargers. If it does turn in to a close game, field position can be the difference maker. Scifres will likely have a few chances to punt on Sunday. If he can pin Oakland deep and give one of the NFL's worst offenses a long field to work with, the Chargers' top-ranked scoring defense can keep the score low. Plus, the Raiders have a rookie (second round pick Derek Carr) at quarterback, so you just might be able to force him in to a rookie mistake close to his own end zone.
Seyi Ajirotutu, WR
Malcom Floyd is questionable with a calf injury and although Keenan Allen will play, he's been slowed by a quadriceps ailment. Ajirotutu could see more time in the passing game, where he always seems to make at least one big play. But it's his coverage on Special Teams that is really setting Tutu apart this season. He made a fantastic open-field tackle on kickoff and has downed several of Scifres' punts just shy of the goal line. Again, we go back to the field position battle, and if Scifres has help from Ajirotutu, the Chargers will be in good shape. Of course, the best-case scenario would be Scifres never has to do anything but hold snaps for Nick Novak's extra point tries.
Tourek Williams, LB
The Chargers' 6th-round draft pick from a year ago is steadily getting more playing time. Last week against the Jets, Williams nearly got to mobile quarterback Michael Vick for a sack, but did the next-best thing; forcing Vick to have to the pocket and throw, the ball away. Williams has also been a solid addition to the kick and punt return coverage. Tourek appears to be coming in to his own as a football player. With Manti Te'o out and Dwight Freeney, Jarret Johnson and Jerry Attaochu nursing injuries, the Chargers could very well use an extra hand at linebacker., and that would put Williams in position to have an impact on this game.
Derek's Prediction:
I have no illusions that the Chargers are not a far superior football team to the Raiders. But, strange things do seem to happen when these teams meet at O.Co Coliseum, so predicting a blowout seems like an irresponsible thing to do.
But, when I look at the numbers, and how these teams are playing entering the game, it's really hard to NOT predict a blowout.
Oakland has the worst scoring offense in football. San Diego has the best scoring defense in football. It won't be another shutout (kicker Sebastian Janikowki is too good for that), but I sure can see the Chargers not allowing the Raiders to get in to the end zone while Philip Rivers has another fantastic day not just throwing the ball, but choosing when to hand it off the Brandon Oliver for big gains.
Final score: Chargers 27, Raiders 9
