It’s the battle for second place at the Q.
Imagine that: The dysfunctional Raiders have a chance to pull even with the Super Bowl favorite Chargers, who are in the midst of one of the most disappointing seasons in sports history.
The problem is, the Chargers no longer own the line of scrimmage. LaDainian Tomlinson admitted it after Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Chargers fans remember the last great Chargers team not to make it to the Super Bowl. The 1980-81 Chargers were loaded but lost in back-to-back AFC title games. That team won because they it was great up front. The offensive line featured four players who are in the Chargers Hall of Fame: center Donnie Macek, guards Doug Wilkerson and Ed White, and tackle Russ Washington.
The defensive line also had Chargers Hall of Famers Gary “Big Hands” Johnson and Louis Kelcher, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean. Compare that with the current Chargers. How many Chargers Hall of Famers on the O-line? Maybe Kris Dielman. The D-line? Jamal Williams is a lock, but that’s it.
So why is this team struggling? It’s all about the line of scrimmage.
Injury news: Fullback Mike Tolbert and Linebacker Marques Harris will sit out and Safety Clinton Hart will be a game time decision.
As is the case anytime the Raiders come to town, security will be beefed up at Qualcomm Stadium. Beer sales will also be cut off at halftime, as opposed to the end of the third quarter.
There will be extra trolley service for the special weeknight game, but there will not be any express bus service. The parking lot opens at 1 p.m. Kickoff is slated for about 5:15 p.m..
