The Chargers have lost seven games in 2013. The only one that came by double-digits, the only one where they were never really in it, was a 27-17 loss to the Raiders, a team that has four wins with two games to play.
Sure, go in in Denver and Kansas City, but get tripped up in Oakland, that makes perfect sense.
That night just might be the perfect microcosm of the crazy nature of the San Diego Chargers 2013 season. First, kickoff was moved to after 8:30 p.m. in the Bay Area because of the Athletics making the MLB playoffs. Then, Philip Rivers was picked off three times, accounting for 33% of his interception total over the first 14 games of this season (Rivers only has one other multiple-interception game, against Washington in another inexplicable loss).
Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor, one of three different QB starters the Raiders have used this year, had his best day of the year against the Bolts, throwing a pair of touchdown passes, the only time he's tossed more than one TD in a game. In fact, Pryor (who is trying to win back his starting job after missing a few games with an injury) has appeared in 13 NFL games and thrown seven touchdowns, four of them coming in two starts against the Chargers.
I knew this rivalry was nutty, but the last year or so has been downright Rod Serling-esque.
So, while the folks at the Las Vegas sports books have the Chargers are 10-point favorites, I doubt anyone actually knows what is going to happen on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. Heck, and this point, I would not be surprised to see a foot of snow on the ground. It's just been that kind of year for the Bolts.
