Whenever the Chargers and Raiders meet it’s a big deal, especially for the fan bases that get to engage in another round of baiting one another with memes and Facebook comments. Recently both sides have been able to bump their gums equally.
These teams have split their last 12 meetings but the Raiders have won the last two and are favored again on Sunday. This recent stretch of parity comes on the heels of a time when the Chargers outright owned the Raiders.
From 2003 through 2009 the Bolts won 13 straight in the series but that’s when L.T. was in his prime and the Chargers had one of the most talented rosters in the league. Today that is simply not the case. By just about all accounts (most importantly, record) the Raiders are now in the driver’s seat when it comes to talent, momentum and perhaps most important … attitude.
But in a rivalry strange things can happen, and that brings us to our three players to watch in the East Bay:
Joey Bosa, DE
OK kid, show us what you got. Bosa (with help from the stubbornness of the Chargers, who refuse to alter their antiquated model of doing business) has put himself in a tough spot. Choosing to be the first player in the rookie salary scale era to have a prolonged contract holdout gave observers the impression that Bosa thinks he was the best player in the 2016 NFL Draft. In a sense he can make that claim since very few people will argue Jared Goff or Carson Wentz were ranked higher on their boards than the former Ohio State standout was. But by making that proclamation he now has to put up Reggie White kind of numbers to live up to his substantial hype. The quest for domination starts in The Black Hole. Raiders QB Derek Carr has been stellar this season with nine touchdowns and only one pick. Oakland won’t have running back Latavius Murray so Bosa’s other big strength, helping in the run game, likely will not be as important in his NFL debut as his ability to put pressure on Carr. If Joey can make Carr rush things and not make San Diego’s depleted secondary have to guard Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree for too long the Bolts will have a chance to slow down one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
Dexter McCluster, PR
The Chargers are unhappy with the way Travis Benjamin, one of the better punt returners in the game, has approached fielding punts. Or, more accurately, not fielding punts. One of the reasons the Chargers signed McCluster, other than the fact he was already familiar with the playbook, is his ability as a returner. Dexter has three career punt return touchdowns, including one in his very first NFL game against the Chargers when he was a rookie with the Chiefs. If the Chargers are going to win this game they need every advantage they can get and winning the field position battle would certainly help.
Dontrelle Inman, WR
Inman had a tremendous game against the Saints, catching seven balls for 120 yards and a touchdown. With Keenan Allen out and Antonio Gates a question mark it’s Inman who has become one of Philip Rivers’ most reliable 3rd down targets. Keeping that potent Oakland offense off the field for as long as possible is a key to this game for San Diego so Inman’s ability to prolong drives will be critical at O.Co Coliseum. Plus, although it was tipped, Dontrelle had that 3rd and 22 pass at the end of the loss to New Orleans go through his hands so he will be looking for redemption by the Bay.
Derek’s Prediction
Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio has restored Oakland’s swagger. Chargers Head Coach Mike McCoy is swaggerless (I have no idea if that’s a word but you get the point). While the Raiders will fight you until the end of the game the Bolts will fight you until the end of the 3rd quarter. This is not a good trend and since San Diego is not going to blow out Oakland it’s likely going to be a close game. If it’s a close game the Chargers are doomed.
Final score: Raiders 31, Chargers 27
